- Microsoft is adding a new Copilot key dedicated to its AI assistant on Windows 11 keyboards this year, marking the first official keyboard change in decades.
- The Copilot key invokes Microsoft’s AI assistant powered by generative models from OpenAI, which Microsoft invested $10 billion into for early access.
- The keyboard update aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to deeply integrate AI across its products and deliver new AI capabilities in future Windows releases.
Microsoft is making a major change to the traditional keyboard layout by introducing a new key dedicated to its AI assistant, Copilot. The addition marks the first official keyboard modification in decades and aims to put artificial intelligence capabilities directly at users’ fingertips.
The New Copilot Key
The Copilot key, positioned near the spacebar, will replace the right CTRL key or a menu key on Windows 11 keyboards this year. Pressing it invokes Microsoft’s AI assistant to help with tasks across documents, emails, settings and more. Microsoft describes it as an entry point into AI experiences on PCs.
Powered by AI Models
The Copilot assistant itself leverages generative AI systems like GPT-4.5 and Dall-E 3 from Microsoft’s partner OpenAI, which Microsoft invested $10 billion into for early access. This allows Microsoft to blend local and cloud AI processing into Windows experiences.
Broader AI Integration
The keyboard update aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to deeply integrate AI across its products. Through partnerships and investments, Microsoft aims to make AI a daily part of users’ digital interactions. The company is weaving AI into Office apps, Outlook, Teams and more.
Future Windows Releases
Microsoft is rumored to release a new version of Windows this year focused on delivering AI enhancements. This includes using AI for tasks like media upscaling and real-time translation. The company plans to shift Windows to an annual update cadence centered around new AI capabilities.
Conclusion
The addition of the Copilot key represents Microsoft’s ambitious effort to put AI directly at people’s fingertips. It furthers the company’s broader strategy of making artificial intelligence a seamless, ubiquitous part of users’ daily digital experiences across both hardware and software.
