Microsoft has confirmed that future computer keyboards running on Windows will have a “Copilot” key, allowing for text conversations with artificial intelligence assistants.
The distinctive feature of this key is a significant addition to Windows keyboards since the appearance of the Windows key in 1994 to display the “Start” menu.
On Windows, Copilot leverages artificial intelligence models supported by the emerging company OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft.
Copilot has the ability to generate text that resembles human-written text in response to certain input words.
People can ask it to write emails, respond to questions, create images, and use computer features.
Members of collaborative company teams within Microsoft 365 can view conversations on the Teams platform and get help in preparing Word documents using Copilot.
Microsoft has started introducing Copilot to computers running on Windows 10, the world-famous operating system, as well as the Windows 11 operating system.
Individuals can continue pressing the Windows key while also pressing the C key to summon Copilot.
Now Copilot has its custom key.
Windows operating system is no longer as dominant as it was in the past, and while Microsoft earns about 10% of its revenue from the operating system, this new key could encourage a wave of computer upgrades, leading to increased revenue.
Computer industry companies are striving to provide alternatives to devices purchased by consumers, students, and corporate workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The technology industry has reached an agreement known as “AI PC,” which involves having special chips inside computers that efficiently run models requiring multiple high-caliber computational operations compared to traditional chips.
In his message, Youssef Mehdi, head of Windows division at Microsoft, wrote that the modifications made to the operating system, computers, and even at the chip level will make 2024 the year of computers utilizing artificial intelligence.
Companies are showcasing laptops equipped with the Copilot key before the CES conference, and these devices are expected to be available later this month.
Mehdi said that the new key will appear in upcoming Surface computers. The Copilot key acts as a substitute in some cases for the menu key or the right control key, while some larger computers have enough space for both the Copilot key and the right control key.
