Empowering Copilot: Microsoft Enhances Control Over Windows and File Management

During today’s Windows and Surface event, Microsoft showcased enhancements to its Copilot AI system, granting it access to local files on users’ PCs and the capability to perform actions across the operating system. This advancement is part of Microsoft’s concept of “Hybrid Intelligence,” where applications and tools leverage a combination of local and cloud-based AI models to efficiently complete tasks.

To demonstrate the functionality of Hybrid Intelligence, Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s EVP of Copilot, presented a video demo on stage, showcasing how the Autopilot tool can assist with tax filing. Andreou instructed the AI agent to assist his accountant by retrieving necessary documents from an email. Utilizing Hybrid Intelligence, Autopilot searched through various folders, renamed files, compressed them into a folder, and composed an email with the zip file attached for the accountant.

According to Andreou, features powered by Hybrid Intelligence will be integrated into Copilot over the next few months.

In addition, Microsoft introduced a new Windows search experience that allows users to perform quick actions directly from the search bar, such as enabling dark mode, adjusting mic volume using an in-line slider, or sending a text message. This enhanced search experience will be rolled out this fall on Windows 11 PCs, as announced by Windows and Surface head, Pavan Davuluri.