Microsoft has declared 2024 to be the year of the AI PC, and it’s ushering in that agenda with the Copilot key, a brand-new addition to the Windows keyboard that will grant users quick access to its everyday AI companion, which was officially announced in September for Windows 11, Microsoft 365, Bing, and Edge, its Chromium-based browser.
“The introduction of the Copilot key marks the first significant change to the Windows PC keyboard in nearly three decades. We believe it will empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily. The Copilot key joins the Windows key as a core part of the PC keyboard and when pressed, the new key will invoke the Copilot in Windows experience to make it seamless to engage Copilot in your day to day,” Microsoft explained.
“Nearly 30 years ago, we introduced the Windows key to the PC keyboard that enabled people all over the world to interact with Windows. We see this as another transformative moment in our journey with Windows where Copilot will be the entry point into the world of AI on the PC,” the company added.
Windows 11 PCs that feature the new Copilot key, including new Surface devices, will begin arriving later this month through spring, Microsoft confirmed.
“Copilot will uniquely incorporate the context and intelligence of the web, your work data and what you are doing in the moment on your PC to provide better assistance – with your privacy and security at the forefront,” Microsoft explained in September, when Copilot was officially announced.
“It will be a simple and seamless experience, available in Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and in our web browser with Edge and Bing. It will work as an app or reveal itself when you need it with a right click. We will continue to add capabilities and connections to Copilot across to our most-used applications over time in service of our vision to have one experience that works across your whole life.”