Microsoft Adds Copilot Key to PC Keyboards
Microsoft is making a key change to PC keyboards by adding a Copilot key for the first time since 1994.
New Copilot Key Added to PC Keyboards
Microsoft is introducing a new key to PC keyboards, marking the first change since the Windows key was added in 1994. The new key is called the Copilot key and will be used to activate the Copilot generative AI assistant.
This key will open the Copilot AI assistant on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. Currently, users can access Copilot by pressing Windows + C. However, Microsoft plans to eventually require the Copilot key on Windows 11 keyboards.
The exact placement of the Copilot key may vary depending on the keyboard's layout. Microsoft has positioned it between the cluster of arrow keys and the right Alt button in a demo.
Microsoft's Emphasis on AI
The addition of the Copilot key is a clear indication of Microsoft's focus on AI technology. Unlike previous initiatives that didn't make it into the hardware, Microsoft is integrating Copilot into the keyboard layout.
Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Medhi declared 2024 as "the year of the AI PC," suggesting that more AI features will be introduced. Additionally, chipmakers like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are incorporating neural processing units (NPUs) into their latest processors, enabling greater AI capabilities.
Rumors also suggest the possibility of a "Windows 12" release with deeper AI integration and additional hardware requirements.
Availability and Future Outlook
The Copilot key will debut on select PCs announced at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show. Microsoft has not confirmed whether the Copilot key will become mandatory on OEM PCs, but it expects that to be the case over time.
If Copilot fails to gain traction, the presence of the Copilot key could serve as a timestamp for Windows PCs from the mid-2020s. It remains to be seen how successful Copilot will be compared to past initiatives from Microsoft.
Overall, Microsoft's push for AI integration and the introduction of the Copilot key demonstrate the company's commitment to advancing AI technology in PC systems.
