We are approaching the next iteration of Windows, commonly referred to as Windows 12, and this week's Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite event provided a sneak peek into potential future enhancements.
Qualcomm introduced the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor and made some ambitious assertions. In all honesty, it holds the potential to bring about a revolutionary transformation. This chip is anticipated to significantly enhance the performance of Windows on ARM devices and will play a pivotal role in the functionality of the forthcoming generation of Windows devices.
During the event, Qualcomm shared the stage with Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, to delve into the Snapdragon X Elite processor and the role of NPUs (neural processing units) in the context of future Windows devices. The conversation primarily revolved around conceptual aspects rather than specific details. Notably, there were no live demonstrations of the new hardware, and explicit references to "Windows 12" were absent. Nevertheless, attendees gained insights into features currently in development, which many interpreted as subtle hints about what the next iteration of Windows could entail.
What can we expect from AI in upcoming Windows releases?
In a report from Windows Central, Satya Nadella outlined his vision for the transformative role of AI in computing. He termed this emerging trend as "generative AI" or "gen AI," which he believes has the potential to be as monumental as the introduction of smartphones, cloud computing, the internet, and personal computers in recent history.
Nadella emphasized that gen AI is expected to reshape the way humans interact with computers, potentially making these interactions more intuitive and user-friendly while influencing changes in human behavior. He envisions the next-generation AI to have a profound impact on operating systems (OS), the design of user interfaces (UI), application interaction on devices, and various other aspects.
Nadella perceives alterations in the user interface as indicators of a more comprehensive transformation, which he aptly describes as "a major shift in the user interface."
Subsequently, Nadella discussed Microsoft's innovative reasoning engine, a system designed to emulate human thought processes. He illustrated this concept using Microsoft's Github Copilot, an AI coding assistant that aids in idea generation and code creation.
The newly developed AI assistant, Windows Copilot, operates with several of its functions taking place in the cloud. Its capabilities result from a combination of on-device and cloud-based processes. Microsoft is concurrently working on a novel system architecture to facilitate these advancements, enabling developers to craft what they refer to as "hybrid applications." These developments are a significant step forward, underscoring the promise of Windows 12 in shaping the future of computing.