Microsoft CEO on How New Windows AI Copilot+ PCs Beat Apple's Macs | WSJ
Summary
TLDRMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses the company's new AI-powered Windows PCs, dubbed 'Copilot+PCs,' which are designed to compete with Apple's Mac. These PCs feature new chips and AI software capable of performing tasks without internet access, leveraging the power of edge computing. The integration of a neural processing unit (NPU) accelerates AI applications, while the use of Qualcomm's energy-efficient Snapdragon X series chips, based on ARM architecture, offers impressive battery life and performance. Microsoft's Surface devices are claimed to be faster and have longer battery life than the MacBook Air with M3. The AI capabilities include a feature called 'Recall,' which uses semantic search to find information across all user history, and 'Co-creator,' which allows users to collaborate with AI in creative tasks. Microsoft emphasizes trust and privacy, as all processing is done locally on the user's device. The company envisions a future where AI agents are ubiquitous, accessible across various platforms and devices, and tailored to individual user preferences.
Takeaways
- ๐ Apple's innovation on the Mac is acknowledged, but Microsoft aims to outperform them with their new Windows computers.
- ๐ป Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is excited about the new Windows computers, hinting at a significant shift in computing with the introduction of AI-puters or Copilot+PCs.
- ๐ง The new Windows computers are designed with AI in mind, featuring new chips and AI software capable of performing tasks without an internet connection.
- ๐ AI advancements like GPT-4 have been primarily cloud-based, but Microsoft is bringing AI processing to the edge with the PC, introducing the concept of the AI PC or Copilot+PC.
- ๐ The introduction of the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) allows for AI processing directly on the PC, enabling features like semantic search and image recognition.
- ๐ Qualcomm's new processor, optimized for Windows, promises significant battery life improvements, with up to 22 hours of continuous video playback.
- ๐ Microsoft claims that their Surface devices are 58% faster than the MacBook Air with M3 and offer 20% longer battery life, indicating a competitive edge.
- ๐ก๏ธ The new AI features, such as Recall, are designed to work locally on the device, emphasizing user privacy and trust.
- ๐จ Co-creator is an AI feature that allows users to collaborate with AI for tasks like image generation, providing a new level of creativity in computing.
- ๐ Live translation capabilities are now available on the device, translating 44 different languages into English, showcasing the versatility of AI in communication.
- ๐ฎ Looking to the future, Microsoft envisions AI as an ambient presence across various devices and platforms, not just limited to traditional computers.
Q & A
What is Microsoft's strategy to outperform Apple in the computer market?
-Microsoft aims to outperform Apple by introducing new Windows computers that are re-engineered for AI, featuring new chips and AI software that can perform tasks without needing an internet connection, thus providing a product that Windows users can be proud of.
What is the term used to describe the new type of computer Microsoft is developing?
-The new type of computer Microsoft is developing is referred to as 'AI computers' or 'Copilot+PCs', which have been designed to integrate AI capabilities more seamlessly.
What is the significance of the term 'edge computing' in the context of the new AI computers?
-Edge computing refers to the ability to perform some AI processing directly on the user's computer rather than relying solely on the cloud. This allows for faster and more efficient AI operations and is a key feature of the new AI computers.
What is an NPU and how does it contribute to the AI capabilities of the new computers?
-An NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is a chip component designed to accelerate AI applications by performing matrix math multiplications quickly. It works alongside the CPU and GPU in the Copilot+PCs to enhance AI features.
How do the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips benefit the AI computers?
-The Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips, based on ARM architecture, are energy efficient and similar to smartphone chips. They offer significant improvements in battery life and performance, making the AI computers more competitive with Apple's ARM-based Macs.
What is the Recall feature and how does it work?
-Recall is a semantic search feature that allows users to search through their entire history on the PC, not just documents but also visual elements from screenshots. It uses generative AI and the NPU to process and make data searchable locally on the device.
How does Microsoft address privacy concerns related to the Recall feature?
-Microsoft addresses privacy concerns by ensuring that Recall operates locally on the user's computer, meaning that the data is processed on the edge and not sent to the cloud. Users also have the option to restrict Recall from taking screenshots of certain websites or apps or to turn it off entirely.
What is the Co-creator AI feature and how does it function?
-Co-creator is an AI feature that allows users to collaborate with AI in creative tasks, such as drawing. Users input a text prompt, and the device uses a stable diffusion image generation model to generate an image based on the user's sketch, all processed locally on the device.
What is the significance of the local live translation feature in the new AI computers?
-The local live translation feature enables the AI computers to translate live video calls or in-person conversations from 44 different languages into English quickly. This is powered by small language models stored on the device, showcasing the capability of edge computing for real-time tasks.
How does Microsoft envision the future integration of AI and personal computing?
-Microsoft envisions a future where AI is an ambient and ubiquitous presence, integrated into various devices and platforms, including phones, messaging apps, and even wearables like glasses. The goal is to create a personal agent that understands the user, making interaction more intuitive and seamless.
What is the expected release timeline and starting price for the new Surface devices featuring AI capabilities?
-The new Surface devices with AI capabilities are expected to start shipping in June, with a starting price of $999.
Outlines
๐ป Innovative AI-Powered Windows PCs
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discusses the company's new line of Windows computers, dubbed 'Copilot+PCs,' which have been re-engineered for AI capabilities. These devices feature new chips and AI software that enable them to perform tasks without an internet connection. Nadella highlights the significance of edge computing, which allows AI processing to occur directly on the user's computer, facilitated by the inclusion of a neural processing unit (NPU). This innovation promises to bring the power of cloud-based AI, such as GPT-4, to the edge devices, starting with the PC. The new Windows devices also boast impressive battery life, thanks to the use of energy-efficient ARM-based chips from Qualcomm, similar to those used in Apple's transition from Intel chips to their own Apple silicon. Microsoft claims that their Surface devices are significantly faster and have longer battery life compared to the MacBook Air with M3. The introduction of the NPU unlocks new AI features like 'Recall,' a semantic search function that can recreate moments from a user's history, even making photos searchable without the need for keywords.
๐ ๏ธ Shaping Our Relationship with AI Agents
The conversation with Nadella and Joanna delves into the future of AI and its integration into everyday computing. They discuss the importance of trust in AI agents and the personal nature of these relationships, suggesting that users may have multiple AI agents for different tasks. Microsoft introduces 'Co-creator,' an AI feature that allows users to collaborate with AI in creative tasks, such as generating images based on text prompts and sketches. Additionally, the new Windows PCs offer local live translation for 44 different languages, powered by small language models stored on the device. Large models like chatGPT or Copilot will continue to run in the cloud, with plans to integrate open AI's latest GPT-4.0 model in the coming weeks. Nadella envisions a future where AI is omnipresent, accessible through various devices and platforms, and discusses the potential for integrating AI with wearable technology like glasses. The discussion concludes with a look at the evolving interface of personal AI agents and the promise of a future where computers understand users, rather than the other way around.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กAI
๐กCopilot+PC
๐กEdge Computing
๐กNeural Processing Unit (NPU)
๐กARM Architecture
๐กRecall
๐กTrust
๐กCo-creator
๐กLive Translation
๐กGPT-4.0
Highlights
Apple's innovation on the Mac is acknowledged, with a claim of outperformance by the new Windows computers.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expresses excitement about the new Windows computers, hinting at AI integration.
The term 'AI-puter' is humorously dismissed in favor of 'Copilot+PC', indicating a new era of AI-enhanced PCs.
AI computers are described as re-engineered with new chips and AI software capable of offline capabilities.
The significance of AI's role, stemming from abundant cloud compute, leading to innovations like GPT-4, is discussed.
The concept of AI PCs or 'Copilot+PCs' is introduced, focusing on edge computing and the reinvention of the PC.
Microsoft adds a neural processing unit (NPU) to enable AI applications on the device itself.
The NPU is explained as an accelerator for AI features, akin to those in the cloud.
Qualcomm's new processor optimized for Windows is highlighted, with impressive battery life demonstrated.
ARM-based chips are compared to traditional Intel chips, with a nod to Apple's successful transition to ARM.
Microsoft claims its Surfaces are significantly faster and have longer battery life than the MacBook Air with M3.
A move away from the traditional relationship with Intel is indicated with the introduction of Copilot PCs.
The introduction of 'Recall', a semantic search feature that uses AI to recreate moments from a user's history, is unveiled.
AI's role in privacy and trust is discussed, with the assurance that Recall operates locally on the user's device.
The AI feature 'Co-creator' is introduced, allowing users to collaborate with AI in creative tasks like drawing.
Local live translation capabilities are highlighted, showcasing the device's ability to translate 44 languages in real-time.
The upcoming integration of open AI's latest GPT-4.0 model into Copilot is teased.
The vision of a personal AI agent that is always present and interactive is shared.
The future of computing is envisioned as a computer that understands the user, rather than the user needing to understand the computer.
Transcripts
- Apple's done a fantastic job of really innovating
on the Mac, we are gonna outperform them.
- So you feel like you've got Apple now.
- We have a computer for people who love Windows
that they can be very, very proud of.
- Microsoft, CEO Satya Nadella
is very excited about his new Windows computers
because they're not just any Windows computers.
Can we call 'em AI-puters?
- (laughs) No, I like Copilot+PC.
- [Joanna] Yes, these Copilot+PCs coming
from Microsoft itself
and others like Lenovo and Dell
have been completely re-engineered for.
- AI, AI, AI, AI, AI as a new input.
- But what even is an AI computer?
Microsoft's latest have new chips and AI software
that can do some cool tricks
without even needing to connect to the internet.
After talking to Nadella
and seeing the new Surface devices in action,
I'll say it looks pretty darn promising.
- Here's the interesting thing, right?
Which is, if you sort of take all of
what we've been talking about with AI,
it all came about because of abundance of compute,
all primarily in the cloud, right?
So, that's what created the GPT-4, for example,
which essentially changed the world.
Now, what happened in the cloud
is going to come to the edge,
and the edge that first needs to be reinvented
before we talk about everything else is the PC.
And so, that's sort of what I think of as the AI PC
or the Copilot+PCs.
- Okay, translation for non-computer scientists.
ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot,
those other generative AI tools you've been using,
the processing happens in the cloud, AKA some data center.
Now, some AI processing will happen right on your computer,
what is called edge computing.
To do this, Microsoft had to add a new chip component.
Pretend I'm not a computer nerd.
What is an NPU?
- It's a neural processing unit.
So, if you wanna build any AI application,
you have to have an accelerator,
just like we have in the cloud,
to be able to run these matrix math multiplications fast
in order to drive AI features.
And that's what the NPU does.
- [Joanna] The NPU joins the CPU and the GPU
in the Copilot+PCs.
But here's the really exciting thing.
- Qualcomm's got a new processor,
which we've optimized Windows for.
The battery lab, I've been using it now.
I mean, it's 22 hours of continuous video playback.
- [Joanna] These Qualcomm Snapdragon X series chips
are based on ARM architecture.
And here's another translation.
These energy efficient chips are more like the ones
in your smartphone than the Intel chips
in your Windows laptop.
A few years ago, Apple transitioned all its Macs
from Intel chips.
- [Speaker] To our own Apple silicon.
- [Joanna] Those chips are based on ARM,
and it made MacBooks really awesome.
- We finally feel we have a very competitive product
between Surface Pro and the Surface laptops.
We have essentially the best specs
when it comes to ARM-based silicon and performance
or the NPU performance.
- Microsoft says the Surfaces
are 58% faster than the MacBook Air with M3
and has 20% longer battery life.
Intel will make Copilot PCs,
but this is a move away from that once tight relationship.
Which system do you use?
- I use the Surface laptop.
- Have you heard the fan go on?
- No.
- See, this is what I'm really hoping for,
a Windows PC that doesn't sound
like it's going to outer space.
(Satya laughs)
- You have it, you got it.
- [Joanna] Okay, but what new AI powers
does the NPU unlock in Windows?
- One of the dreams we've always had
is how do we introduce memory, right?
Photographic memory into what you do on the PC,
and now we have it.
So, it's called Recall.
It's not keyword search, right?
It's semantic search over all your history.
And it's not just about any document.
We can recreate moments from the past essentially.
- Here's how it works.
Windows constantly takes screenshots
of what's on your screen.
Then uses a generative AI model right on the device
along with the NPU to process all that data
and make it searchable, even photos.
I got to try it out.
I searched "brown leather bag."
It came up in visual search.
There's no place on this page
that it says "brown leather bag."
It just knows because it sees this brown leather bag.
There could be this reaction from some people
that this is pretty creepy.
Microsoft is taking screenshots of everything I do.
- Yeah, I mean, that's why
that it can only do it on the edge, right?
So this is, you have to put two things together.
This is my computer, this is my Recall,
and it's all being done locally, right?
So that's the promise.
So, that's one of the reasons why Recall works
as a magical thing,
because I can trust it that it is on my computer.
- You can also restrict Recall from taking screenshots
of certain websites or apps or turn it off entirely.
And it seems to me this whole next wave
of AI computing is gonna be built somewhat around trust.
If we're gonna have AI agents that go out
and do things for us,
why should people trust Microsoft over another company?
- And I think we are at the very early stages
of understanding how our relationship
with AI agents should be shaped by us primarily
because that's the only way to build trust.
If somebody else, this is not a vendor decision.
It's a personal, maybe even spiritual decision
of how we want to, and that's why I don't believe
there's just gonna be one, right?
Because I may have multiple agents
that I may want to delegate different types of things to.
- [Joanna] There's another AI feature called Co-creator
that runs locally right on the device.
- How do we really take good old paint
and say, "Hey, I'm not just painting myself,
but I'm able to co-create with an AI."
- You put in a text prompt, "a Windows XP wallpaper
with a big green mountain,"
then start drawing
and a stable diffusion image generation model
right on the device starts to generate an image
based on your sketch.
Yes, that's very good.
There's local live translation, too.
It can translate live video calls
or in-person conversations
from 44 different languages into English.
And it's fast.
(woman speaking foreign language)
Yeah, I have a dog.
(woman speaking foreign language)
Browser.
All of this is powered by small language models
that are stored on the device.
Large language models like chatGPT or Copilot
still run in the cloud.
In the coming weeks,
Copilot will get open AI's latest GPT-4.0 model.
- It's kind of like a new browser effectively.
So, it's right there.
It sees the screen, it sees the world, it hears you.
And so, it's kind of like that personal agent
that's always there that you wanna talk to.
You can interrupt it.
It can interrupt you.
- The new Surfaces will start shipping in June,
starting at 999.
But I had a few more questions about the future.
AI is this new type of way of interacting with computers.
Yet here you're releasing a pretty traditional looking
type of computer.
- You know, think about what we did back in the day
when the internet happened.
It sort of like, the browser was born on Windows
and it went beyond Windows.
That's, I think, what's gonna happen.
That's why I think we want
to make sure we build the Copilot+PC
that's optimized for Copilot.
But I fully expect the Copilot to be everywhere.
And the innovation of the interface of your personal agent,
how I interact with it, how it accesses memories,
how it does actions is gonna be everywhere.
It's gonna be ambient.
- Where else could it go?
- It'll go on the phone, right?
I'll use it on WhatsApp.
I'll use it on any other messaging platform.
It'll be on speakers everywhere.
So, in some sense, it'll be anywhere
users want to interact with it
with different modalities, right?
If you take what GPTO showed
and you combine it with Copilot as the interface,
for us, that's the type of magic that we wanna bring.
First to Windows and everywhere else.
- What do you think about glasses?
- Well, we loved glasses for a long time.
In fact, one of the things that we will do with Meta
is to take Copilot
and really bring it to all of the work that they're doing.
- Can we close our eyes together
and we're gonna imagine
the future of computing. - Okay.
- What is the future that you see?
- The future I see is a computer that understands me
versus a computer that I have to understand.
- Okay, does it look like this?
- It reminds me of XP.
- This is what it turned it into.
- Oh wow.
- Could this be the wallpaper of the future PC?
- It definitely can be.
And you have the power to do it, Joanna.
You can set your wallpaper on Windows.
- Well, I wanna leave this with you
and maybe you can make this the default in Windows 12.
- Thank you so much.
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