Microsoft Introduces New AI Key to Windows Keyboards

Microsoft is setting its sights on 2024 to be the “Year of Artificial Intelligence Computers,” with plans to significantly enhance computers with AI-oriented features.

The tech giant has revealed that it will introduce a Copilot key to keyboards as part of this initiative.

This new development will see the addition of a dedicated key on keyboards for both laptops and desktops.

The purpose of this special key is to provide users with quick access to Microsoft’s artificial intelligence tool, Copilot, facilitating a more streamlined and efficient user experience.

One-click AI access

The introduction of the Copilot button on Windows devices marks one of the most significant changes seen in computing hardware in the last 30 years.

Speaking on this development, Microsoft Vice President and Consumer Marketing Manager Yusuf Mehdi stated, “About 30 years ago, we introduced the Windows key for desktop computers to enable people to interact more efficiently with Windows.

We view the introduction of the Copilot key as another pivotal moment in our Windows journey, ushering in the era of Copilot and artificial intelligence on computers.”

With the addition of the new Copilot key, the existing keyboard layout will remain unchanged. Instead, the Copilot key will replace the menu key on the keyboard.

Positioned at the bottom right side of full-size keyboards, this spot was previously updated with the Office key in 2019. By pressing the Copilot key, users will be able to interact directly with Copilot, featuring Windows 11’s ChatGPT-like large language model AI.


If you don’t have Copilot, there’s Windows search

In regions where Copilot is not available, pressing the new key will instead open Windows Search. Initially, the Copilot button will not support combinations or shortcuts like the Start button does. Microsoft’s future plans for the functionality of this key are currently unknown.

There’s also no information yet on which manufacturers will incorporate the Copilot key into their keyboards. Announcements regarding this are anticipated in the upcoming days and are expected to be made at CES 2024.

Yusuf Mehdi stated that the Copilot key will be featured on new Windows 11 computers, with these keyboards slated for release in the spring. He also confirmed that the new Surface devices will be equipped with this button.


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