Microsoft is developing the keyboard for its computers by adding a touch of artificial intelligence

It's a small evolution in the IT tool ecosystem, but it reflects a fundamental shift in all digital uses. During 2024, new keyboards for Microsoft's Windows PCs will integrate a “Copilot” key, giving access to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools developed or promoted by the Redmond (Washington) company, we learned On Thursday, January 4th. This makes it possible to create content (text, image, song, computer code) on a simple request and with a quality close to human production.

For Microsoft, this is the most important change in the keyboards that its users use since the introduction of the “Menu” button bearing the Windows logo in 1994. By carrying out this dusting off process, the American company is sending a strong message about its strategy in the coming years. “We see this as a new turning point.”, Youssef Mahdi, Vice President of the company, commented: “This will not only simplify the computing experience for users, but also amplify it, making 2024 the year of the AI ​​PC.” Concretely, the company intends to enhance all its programs with the capabilities offered by artificial intelligence.

Amazing ambitions

By launching this new standard, Microsoft confirms its intention to become one of the main entry points into the world of generative AI, both for individuals and for companies – where it is particularly well-established. If the company produces very few terminals, with its Surface product range, it sets trends for PC manufacturers (Dell, Lenovo or HP), knowing that between 70% and 80% of the PC fleet runs Windows. The announcement could be made as early as next week, in Las Vegas (Nevada), by device manufacturers, as part of the Consumer Electronics Show (January 9-12), the world's largest consumer electronics show.

Microsoft's ambitions in generative AI have been dramatically demonstrated by a massive investment ($11 billion, or €10.3 billion, announced in 2020 and 2023) in Open AI, the company developing the ChatGPT software, which it leverages within Copilot. .