In a move that perhaps comes as no surprise, Microsoft has revealed a small $3 price increase per use (the first in 12 years) but is including Microsoft 365 Copilot (previously a $20 add on) to these subscriptions, which enables users to leverage Copilot in Office apps without needing a separate Copilot Pro subscription. But there is catch… See later.
I’ve not seen UK pricing as yet, but starting soon, consumers will soon see a new price of $9.99 per month for Microsoft 365 Personal and $12.99 per month for Microsoft 365 Home.
It’s not actually about Copilot through…
Oddly, Microsoft says the price increase is not actually about Copilot inclusion buy it more about aligning the prices with new features that have been added over the years such Microsoft Designer and Clipchamp, both of which have extensive AI capabilities.
Or is it…
Microsoft are offering anyone who’d rather stick to the old plan the option to buy what they new call their “classic sub tier which won’t include Copilot, but just a limited time. This, I believe will be offered as a downgrade option but will only be available for a limited time.
So… If the classic tier doesn’t include Copilot… Is the price hike about Copilot or not.. What do you think?
So what is included for Copilot in Personal and Home subscriptions?
With the introduction of Copilot, Microsoft 365 apps are getting a significant upgrade. Here’s a breakdown of the new features you will get
Word
Here we get Draft and Chat capability in Word. In draft mode you can create/ generate text from within the Copilot pane directly in Word. This works for new and existing documents and also allows your to rewrite taxt, expand on it, condense it and more. Chat mode on the other hand acts as your Word AI assistant. It can summarise and explain text, paragraphs or whole documents, suggest changes and also. Help you discover Word features such as formatting or just help you to learn new features.
PowerPoint
Here we get similar capabilities to Word. Copilot can create, restructure, change and enhance PowerPoint presentations from scratch based on user-provided criteria. It can also analyse existing Word documents (and other uploaded files) and generate a complete presentation from the information contained within it.
Excel
With most people using just a tiny fraction of what Excel can do, Copilot in Excel will help anyone analyse tables, highlight data correlations, suggest and help with new formulas based on your natural written queries, and can also generate insights to help you better reason over tables data and even entire workbooks. It is also really great for helping you format and organise data, create visualisations, and even teach you (or write) formulas for you.
OneNote
One of my favourite apps, Copilot here can assist in drafting ideas, plans, and organising information within your Notebooks. Copilot can also format content and create lists according to your criteria. What’s great is it can also do the woith your hand written notes (for those like me that use OneNote on my tablet). I find it great for handwritten meeting notes or interviews in that Copilot can then write my notes up professionally for me!
Outlook
Load of useful abilities for Copilot here in Outlook and one I think most people will use alot. Copilot in Outlook can summarise emails from friends, family, and colleagues which is nice for long email chains you have just been forwarded!
It’s also great for helping you to draftnand write an ew email or response to an email based on specific tones, lengths, and formats you set.It can also help coach you by reviewing what you have written and suggesting changes.
Copilot can pull information from other emails to provide context in threads, making it useful for managing multiple email chains.
What about Copilot Pro?
Despite the price increase, Microsoft is limiting Copilot usage under the Home and Personal subscriptions through monthly AI credits which are automatically applied to your account and reset each month (think mobile data tarrifs). They have not yet shared (that I have seen anyway) how many AI credits will be given each month.
Microsoft also offers Copilot Pro which is currently $20 /£19 a month which brings the same features as above but gives unlimited access to Copilot in Office, plus what they call boosts for image creation in tools like Designer.
I’m hoping this also gets a price reduction as it suddenly seems quite pricey for the additional capacity rather than entire features.
Conclusion.. Yes please!
To me I can’t wait to see this come to Family accounts because for me today, if I want Copilot Pro in Office for all 4 members of my family, I need to pay $80 a Month! This makes is so much more affordable and a no brainier.. bringing AI tools to its 84 millions consumer users and at a much more digestable price that with Copilot Pro.
At CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week, Microsoft’s head of Windows devices, Pavan Davuluri, announced that Phi Silica, a Small Language Model (SLM), will be integrated into the Windows runtime as part of Copilot in the first quarter of 2025 to provide offline use and performance boosts whilst also paving the way for additional features and privacy enhancements made possible through local processing.
What’s a Language Model?
Before diving into the details, it’s important to understand what a language model is. Language models are designed to comprehend, generate, and perform human-like language tasks, having been trained on vast amounts of data. However, not all language models are the same – they come in different sizes, large and small, each with unique strengths and weaknesses tailored to specific requirements.
The main differences between small and large language models lie in their size, capabilities, and resource requirements.
LLMs are ideal for applications needing high accuracy and versatility, such as advanced search, chatbots and content generation.
SLMs are generally more suited for specific, lightweight applications, like mobile apps and edge devices and laptops such which have local NPUs like Copilot+ PCs.
SLMs are coming to Windows 11
The Phi Silica SLM, which was first showcased at Microsoft Build in Seattle in May 2024, is designed to complement the Large Language Model (LLM) that runs in the cloud allowing specific AI workloads and processing to be run locally or handed over and run in parallel with the cloud based LLMs.
Small, but mighty, on-device SLM
Microsoft
Why? Well, whilst LLMs are typically faster and more accurate, they require cloud-based operations and can be costly to run and inflict subscription fees (think Microsoft 365 Copilot). SLMs, on the other hand, can run many and other AI-driven applications and tasks locally on PCs, ensuring privacy and preventing data leakage to the cloud. However, SLMs are less sophisticated and require dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to provide these local AI capabilities. Hello Copilot+PCs.
Copilot+ PCs and AI PCs
The NPUs (Neural Processing Units) in Copilot+ PCs are designed to be highly power-efficient, capable of performing trillions of operations per second (TOPS) while consuming very little power. Specifically, on devices with Snapdragon X Elite processors, the Phi Silica model’s context processing uses only 4.8 milliwatt-hours (mWh) of energy on the NPU.
Additionally, the token iterator stage of the model shows a 56% improvement in power consumption compared to running on the CPU. This efficiency allows Phi Silica to operate without overloading the CPU and GPU, ensuring smooth performance and minimal impact on other applications.
Microsoft said that features like Windows Recall, Click-to-Do and other AI functionalities will soon be able to leverage these SLMs. Phi Silica uses a 3.3 billion parameter model, fine-tuned by Microsoft for both accuracy and speed and will. Improve performance, enhance privacy and enable more “offline” usage.
In a recent podcast episode with Bill Gurley and Brad Gerstner, Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft, discussed a wide range of topics related to his role at Microsoft, the state of the technology, business growth and capitalism in this new “AI Era”.
The podcast which you can watch on YouTube here covered some interesting topics including the Future of AI Agents and their potential to transform how we interact with technology. In this blog (worth a listen), Satya gives his predications/insights into the future of AI Agents and emphasises that AI agents will fundamentally change the landscape of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, predicting that the traditional notion of business applications will collapse in the era of agentic AI.
What is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can make decisions and take actions autonomously, without direct human intervention. These systems are designed to perceive their environment, reason about the best course of action, and execute tasks independently. In short these agents are designed to function as workplace teammates, capable of handling various tasks across different applications.
As example, in e-commerce platforms, instead of static, rule based chatbots, agentic AI-driven systems can track a customer’s journey, personalised recommendations, and assist with returns seamlessly without user / supervisor input. These agents will be able to actively learn from interactions, optimising the customer journey in real time and learning about user preferences.
Agentic AI typically inhibits the following features:
Autonomy: Agentic AI systems can operate independently, making decisions based on input data and predefined goals.
Adaptability: These systems can adapt to changing circumstances and inputs, adjusting their actions to achieve their objectives.
Proactivity: Agentic AI can anticipate user needs and take actions without explicit instructions, making them more proactive in their behavior.
Collaboration: In the future, agentic AI systems will be able to work together in multi-agent networks, collaborating to handle complex tasks that a single agent cannot manage alone.
Changes Ahead for AI Agents
The video / podcast is an hour and a half (but an enjoyable and informative listen). Reading between the sections, Satya talks extensively about where he sees AI Agents evolving massively through 2025. I have summarised this below.
Increasing Sophistication and Capabilities
AI agents will become increasingly sophisticated and capable, eventually replacing traditional software applications. These agents will be able to understand and anticipate user needs, providing personalised and proactive assistance. They will leverage advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to interact with users in a more human-like manner.
Autonomous AI Agents
Through 2025. we will see autonomous AI agents handle more and more complex tasks with minimal human oversight, optimising workflows and enhancing efficiency across industries. These agents will streamline workflows, manage intricate operations, and simplify everyday activities. For example, OpenAI’s “Operator Agents” will autonomously execute multi-step processes, such as scheduling meetings or managing projects.
Multi-Agent Networks
Sayta talks abiut the “future” being a place that is not about singular agents but more about networks or systems of agents where agents can discover and collaborate with other agents. These multi-agent networks will enable agents to handle tasks that they can’t do themselves by invoking other agents (agents talking to other agents). This collaborative approach will enhance the overall capabilities and efficiency of AI agents.
Vertical AI Agents
Vertical AI agents, which are specialised for specific industries, are expected to have their moment in 2025. These agents will dominate their respective fields by offering tailored solutions that address industry-specific challenges. For example, retail AI agents will act as personal shoppers, offering personalised recommendations and optimising inventory management.
Persistent Memory and Personalisation
AI systems with persistent memory will enable highly personalized interactions, transforming AI into long-term companions that adapt to user preferences and habits. This capability will allow AI agents to provide more relevant and context-aware assistance, enhancing user experiences.
Emotional Intelligence
Future AI agents are expected to possess emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand and respond to human emotions. This will enable more empathetic and effective interactions, particularly in customer service and healthcare settings.
Integration with IoT and Personal Devices
AI agents will increasingly integrate with the Internet of Things (IoT) and personal devices. This integration will enable seamless interactions across various platforms and devices, creating a more connected and efficient ecosystem. For example, AI agents in smart homes will manage household tasks, monitor energy usage, and provide personalized recommendations.
Ethical AI and Transparency
As AI agents become more prevalent, there will be a greater emphasis on ethical AI and transparency in decision-making. Ensuring that AI agents operate responsibly and transparently will be crucial for gaining user trust and acceptance. This includes addressing issues related to data privacy, bias, and accountability.
Proactive AI Agents
Proactive AI agents will anticipate user needs and take actions without explicit instructions. For example, an AI assistant might reorganize your day based on traffic updates and weather, reschedule missed appointments, and even draft personalized messages. This proactive approach will make AI agents more valuable and indispensable in daily life.
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration Tools
AI agents will enhance communication and collaboration tools, making it easier for teams to work together. These agents will facilitate real-time collaboration, manage project timelines, and provide insights to improve productivity. They will also assist in content creation, research, and workflow automation.
Shift and the of SaaS apps?
Another interesting section to listen too is at around 31 minutes, where Satya talks about his vision of how AI agents could potentially replace traditional SaaS (Software as a Service) applications. Whilst something that will not happen over night, he talked about the shift from business apps with connectors into other apps, but in an agent to agent and agent to back-end system.
We can already have connectors into applications like SAP, Dynamics etc. A great quote he used was “when was the last time any of us really went to a business application” In the AI age, we access the data in these systems from a mesh of data sources which over time, these back-end SaaS systems would eventually become obsolete as AI agents take over multi-repository CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations. This shift would lead to the collapse of conventional business applications, with AI agents handling the core logic.
The idea will be that you simply pull information from systems through AI Agents such as looking up customer details, updating inventories, changing a contact in NetSuite CRM for example or checking delivery status for an order.
Other examples, Sayta talked about with regards AI Agents included:
Infinite Memory: He explained that infinite memory refers to the ability of AI agents to retain and recall information over extended periods, much like a human’s long-term memory. This capability will allows AI agents to build on past interactions and experiences, making them more effective and personalized in their responses and actions.
Proactive Task Management: AI agents are envisioned to operate autonomously, handling complex tasks such as processing customer returns, managing shipping invoices, and optimizing supply chain operations. This proactive approach reduces the reliance on user-initiated interactions, further diminishing the need for traditional SaaS applications.
Automation of Business Logic: Satya explained that AI agents would be able to automate many backend business processes, creating a new tier of multi-agent orchestration. This means that business logic, which is currently hardcoded into individual applications, will be managed by AI agents across multiple apps or databases and will adapt based on useage and need.
Integration with Existing Tools: Nadella highlighted the integration of Python with Excel as an example. AI agents can use Excel’s visualisation capabilities for advanced tasks, transforming it into a more intelligent and autonomous tool. This integration demonstrates how AI agents can enhance existing applications, making them more efficient and reducing the need for traditional SaaS apps.
Windows 11 is set to make a huge change to how we use cameras and webcams on Windows 11 PCs with the introduction of advanced camera features. These new functionalities, currently available in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build in the Dev Channel, promise to enhance accessibility and usability for a wide range of users.
Previously, Windows allowed camera access to only one application at a time, which caused conflicts and limited multitasking capabilities. With this new feature, multiple applications can now access and utilise the camera feed simultaneously.
Key Features and Benefits
Multi-App Camera Support: One of the standout features is the ability for multiple applications to be able to access your devices camera/webcam at the same time. This is particularly beneficial for people who need to stream video to different platforms at the same time. For instance, remote workers can now participate in multiple virtual meetings without needing to switch between applications (and turn off their cameras), and in the consumer space, gamers can stream their gameplay on various platforms concurrently.
Basic Camera Function: Designed to improve stability of “older” webcams and deices and to help with debugging, Microsoft are introducing a feature limiting the webcam’s features to the essentials. This ensures that the camera can operate at its most basic level, which is useful if other features are causing issues.
Enhanced Accessibility: Developed in conjunction with accessibility and hard-of-hearing community, the multi-app support feature also enables video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the end audience simultaneously. This could be a significant step forward in making technology more inclusive and accessible.
Use Cases
Remote Work and Collaboration: With the multi-app camera support, professionals working from home can join multiple video conferences at once, making it easier to manage different meetings and collaborations without the hassle of switching between apps.
Content Creation and Streaming: Gamers and content creators will find the new features particularly useful. They can now stream their content on multiple platforms simultaneously, reaching a broader audience and enhancing their streaming capabilities.
Educational Purposes: Teachers and educators can leverage these features to conduct virtual classes more effectively. For example, they can stream their lessons to different platforms or groups of students at the same time, ensuring that everyone has access to the content.
Enabling and using the Feature
You need to be running Windows Insider Build 26120.2702 or later.
To activate the feature, users need to head over to settings and enable the “Multi-App Camera” setting by toggling it on as shown in the screenshot below.
Once enabled you’ll be able to use your camera(s) in multiple apps. The shot below shows the camera app and a Teams video call using the same camera simultenuously.
Still more to come
Microsoft has also said that more options are coming in the advanced camera settings, including the ability to choose and customise things like resolution and frame rate for the webcam/Camera(s).
These enhancements (also fed by user feedback from the Windows Feedback Hub), will provide users with greater control over their camera settings, allowing for a more customised and optimised experience.
In this review I look at the Surface Laptop 7 which I’ve been using daily for the past 3 weeks. We look at asterics, performance, battery life and more. It’s the first Copilot+PC from Microsoft which is set to yet again set the standards on the future of AI powered Windows devices!
I first got my hands on one of these devices last month at Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, where I had the pleasure to spend time with the global Surface Team in the community hub in the middle of the Ignite Expo Hall.
On show were the very latest Surface Copilot + PCs which feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon X powered devices that deliver over 45 Trillion Operations per Second (TOPS) of NPU power.
As part of the demo showcase, the devices were running the latest “insider” builds of Windows 11 where new innovative AI features within Windows, such as Recall and Click-To-Do, as well as updates to apps from leading developers including Adobe who were showcasing the next wave of innovation that is possible by harnessing the power of local NPUs on these new Copilot + PCs.
My History with Surface
I’ve been a fan of Surface many years, having owned, borrowed, or used numerous models since we transitioned to Surface around the Surface Pro 4 era. I even had a Surface Pro v1 and a Surface RT with Arm chipset running Windows 8 back in 2012 – devices I still have today in my “museum”.
As a Microsoft MVP, I’m also lucky to get access to demo and trial devices through the year which has given me some great perspectives of the continual evolution, advancements and innovation that Surface brings, not only to end user compute, but to the development and innovation of Windows.
Until recently, my daily device has been the Surface Pro 9 5G. This is a Qualcomm powered ARM device running Windows on Arm (WoA). I also have a smaller (Intel powered) Laptop Go, which I use when traveling light!
My latest laptop, and the focus of todays’ blog is the 13.8″ Surface Laptop 7. This is the latest generation of Copilot+ PCs. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Arm processor and it truly a thing of beauty!
Not only does Surface Laptop 7 look absolutely gorgeous, with its premium sleek black finish, but the ‘instant on’ feature and Windows Hello ESS (which stands for Enhanced Sign-in Security) means that I am signed in instantly – no delay, and no “looking for you”. You click the button; the device wakes up and you are in.
Windows Hello ESS uses specialized hardware and software components, including Virtualization Based Security (VBS) and Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0), to isolate and protect biometric data. This ensures that biometric data, like facial recognition or fingerprint information, is securely stored and processed
What are Copilot+ PCs?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon powered Copilot+ PC is designed to deliver an unparalleled user experience, combining cutting-edge technology with seamless performance and truly all day battery life combined with whisper quiet operation. These are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors (Arm processors) and run Windows on ARM as the core Windows Operating System.
Windows has traditionally run on machines that are powered by x86 / x64 processors, but more recently, also runs on devices powered by Arm processors. That is the case for the current generation of Copilot+PCs like Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11.
Arm-powered devices are particularly interesting because the power-frugal nature of the Arm architecture enables these devices to offer longer battery life while delivering great performance. Arm Systems on Chip (SoC) often include other key features such as a powerful CPU, GPU, Wi-Fi & mobile data networks, as well as Neural Processor Units (NPUs) for accelerating AI workloads.
For most users, the differences between Windows on Arm and Windows running in x86/x64 are invisible other than the performance and efficiency improvements Arm based devices can bring to Windows.
The Laptop 7 I have been using is the 13.8 inch device with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD.
Surface Laptop 7: The Out of Box Experience
From the moment I unboxed the device it gleamed with the high quality, premium elegance that is Surface. People often ask me what it is about Surface that I love compared to “other” brands.
Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
You only have to hold and feel a Surface to fall in love with it. It is truly elegant and premium device in every way, but more importantly, Surface is designed to showcase the very best of the Windows and is always the innovator and leader upon which other OEMs are “inspired” to copy. From touch screen, 2-in-1,to pen and ink and Windows Hello, these features were all born with Surface. Copilot+ PCs are no different. The stage is set for the future of AI powered devices.
Next there is the sustainability factor. Surface is built from more recycled materials with the enclosure being constructed of >67.2% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum. Surface Laptop is another step toward Microsoft’s goal to be carbon negative, water positive, and achieve zero waste by 2030.
Surface Laptop 7: What’s under the hood?
This is a Surface through and through. High Quality, premium finish, and fantastically put together with the all the best hardware to make Windows shine.
Horse Power – Unlike the Surface Laptop 1-6, Laptop 7 is powered by ARM processors. Microsoft offer a choice of Snapdragon X Plus (10-core) or Snapdragon X Elite (12-core). The 15-inch version by comparison only offers the Snapdragon X Elite.
Connectivity: Surface Laptop 7 ships with the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and and “old-skool” USB-A. There’s also a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSDXC card slot, and the standard Surface-Connect Port too! The device can be charged via the Surface Port and/or USB-C.
Cameras and Video: The “web-cam2 is a 1080p Full HD camera for your Teams or Webex calls and also incorporates the Windows Hello Biometric / Facial security. Video and images are enhanced by Windows Studio Effects powered by the Surface Laptop 7’s local NPU.
Audio: On board we get the usual Dual Studio Mics with AI powered voice focus, OmniSonic stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® and support for Bluetooth LE Audio
Display – The screen on the 13.8″ Surface Laptop 7 supports a resolution of 2304 x 1536 with contrast ratio of 1400:1 and refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen is fully multi-point touch enabled and is finished with a coating of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5. The is no Surface Pen support (but to be honest, the form factor doesn’t really lend itself to pen and ink).
Keyboard: Surface Laptop gives you a full size keyboard. The is plenty of travel in the keys and decent traction. The keys also have back-lighting with different levels of brightness. You also get a sizeable trackpad. You even get the Copilot Key 🙂
Surface Laptop 7: Secure from Chip to Cloud
Surface Laptop 7 (along with Surface Pro 11), powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon, are also examples of Microsoft’s commitment to robust security through their chip-to-cloud approach.
Central to this security architecture is the Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0, which provides a hardware-based root of trust, ensuring that sensitive data, such as encryption keys and user credentials, are securely stored and protected from tampering. This is complemented by Windows 11’s Secured-Core PC capabilities, which integrate hardware, firmware, and software protections to defend against sophisticated cyber threats and attacks.
Additionally, these devices feature Windows Hello face authentication with Enhanced Sign-in Security, offering seamless and secure biometric authentication. This leverages advanced facial recognition algorithms and hardware-level security to provide a fast and secure login experience.
Finally, Microsoft Defender is fully integrated at hardware and Operating System level to provide comprehensive enterprise protection against malware, viruses, and other cyber threats, further enhancing identity and privacy protection.
These features make Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 secure, reliable choices for users and organisations who need the highest levels of protection for their data and privacy.
App Support – Will my Apps Work with ARM?
In short yes (almost certainly).
Application compatibility with Windows on Arm has always been a concern and I have seen many people, and organisations avoid “non Intel” Windows devices for fear their app will not work.
Outside the original Surface RT, I have been using ARM based Surface devices since the Surface Pro X. Today, I am yet to encountered any apps that do not work on my ARM powered devices. Every applications I use (including some from Adobe) now have native ARM versions of their apps.
Prism Emulation works as a software simulator, just-in-time compiling blocks of x86 instructions into Arm64 instructions with optimisations to improve performance of the emitted Arm64 code.
For any app you encounter for where there is not an ARM-native app, Windows 11 leverages Microsoft’s PRISM emulator. This provides x86 and x64 emulation to run non-ARM native apps in emulation mode, which the Surface Laptop 7 runs perfectly well. The benefit of using (and having) native ARM applications however is to allow users to fully benefit from the power and battery efficiency that these devices offer over the intel variants.
Microsoft App Assure is a service designed to help organisations ensure their applications run smoothly on Windows 11, including those on ARM-based devices. With App Assure, Microsoft offers expert support to resolve any compatibility issues, providing peace of mind when transitioning or updating applications to run on ARM architecture. This support is crucial for organisations embracing the efficiency and performance benefits of Windows on ARM.
Printers and Peripherals – will they work on ARM?
In short – most will.
When considering a transition to Windows on ARM devices, one of the primary concerns is whether printers and other peripherals will work seamlessly. Personally I have no issues at all. I use a Surface Dock, blue tooth keyboard and mouse, USB external webcam and an Epson Ink Jet Printer. Most modern peripherals will work without issues.
Printers (well older ones) can be a little more challenging due to lack of driver support, but Microsoft is actively working to improve this by developing more ‘Class drivers’ for legacy hardware.
Whilst the situation is improving, organisations with older or specialised hardware (we see a lot in education and manufacturing) may find they need to still with Intel variants for now, or at least check compatibility before moving to Windows on ARM.
Microsoft's approach of replacing legacy drivers with "class drivers" is part of their broader strategy to simplify and standardise driver support across Windows devices, including ARM-based systems. Class drivers are intermediate drivers that provide a simple interface between a vendor-written "minidriver" and the Windows operating system. This means that instead of each hardware manufacturer creating and maintaining their own drivers, they can use a standardised class driver provided by Microsoft.
Better Together – Windows 11 and Copilot+PCs
Windows 24H2 (along with some new Windows features that are currently in Preview) are set to revolutionise the user experience with a suite of new AI-powered tools designed to enhance productivity and streamline tasks.
Among the most anticipated features is Windows Recall, which allows users to search for files, emails, and web pages by describing what they remember, rather than relying on keywords. This feature, powered by multiple AI models running locally on the device, aims to significantly reduce the time spent searching for information.
Windows Recall (Preview)
Click to Do enables quick actions with text or images found in Recall’s snapshots (or from any screen), making it easier to copy text or share images. This is similar to Google Circle-To-Do feature you might have on your smart phone!
Another exciting addition is the Windows Copilot Runtime, which integrates over 40 different AI models, including a Small Language Model (SLM) and an Optical Character Recogniser. These enable the new tools like Click-To-Do along with new Windows features such as Live Captions, Auto Super Resolution, Generative Fill and Windows Studio Effects.
These all work locally (using the NPU) without sending data to the cloud. These tools not only enhance accessibility and visual quality but also provide a seamless and efficient user experience.
This prevents the CPU getting overloaded and slowing down your device, making things like Teams call with video filters applied, much less processor intensive and better quality.
Surface Laptop 7: Value for Money
Pricing of course varies by region and also your sector. It also varies if you are a consumer or corporate, so if buying for work, speak to you Microsoft Surface Partner.
On Microsoft’s official website, pricing for Surface Laptop 7 starts at £944 (inc VAT).
The model I am using is the 13.8″, Snagdragon X Elite with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD which took the price up to just over £1,500.
In comparison (everyone always compares to Apple), the cost of the Mac Book Pro 14″ of close to equivalent spec is just shy of £2,000
Surface Laptop 7 – Summing it up
In the past few weeks, using Surface Laptop 7 has really enforced my love and passion for Surface and Windows on Arm powered devices and the future potential of Copilot+PCs.
Compared to a Intel Powered Surface Laptop 6, everything about this device feels faster and more responsive compared to any previous device (even my ARM powered Surface Pro 9) that I have used.
The device is lightening fast, silent (like it makes no noise at all) as it has no fans, and battery life averages over 17 hours of actual use between charges (and that is connected to an external screen too). I never take power supply when I go out.
The device wakes up and signs me in instantly when I lift the lid, thanks to Windows Hello ESS and when working, the device doesnt even apprear to get warm.
Video and Audfio Quality is enhanced by the new Windows Studio Effects in Windows 11, which leverages the NPU for superior audio quality and voice isolation and features like Eye Contact and local background blurring has a huge impact on video calls.
The new and exciting AI features like Microsoft Recall and Click- to-Do (in preview), along with the other Windows 11 enhancements are also great to use (these only run on Copilot+PCs today).
One of the concerns I often talk to organisations about, is the fear that Copilot might surface sensitive information that it should not have access to due to IT/Compliance teams not really knowing who has access to what. The phrase “Security through obscurity” is often what we heard being used.
The primary cause of this is the over-permissioning and sharing of files, which is a growing concern for organisations and one of the “blockers” often cited in Copilot Adoption.
The over-sharing problem
The ability to reason over employee data and shared organisational data is one of Microsoft 365 Copilot’s strengths over other Gen AI tools (that need feeding). These responses Copilot gives and the content it creates rely on access to data that the user already has access to across their organisation’s Microsoft 365 environment. And here often lies the problem. If an organisation has low levels of data governance, no data classification and labelling, combined with high levels of over-sharing can create real concerns for IT and Data Compliance teams.
One of the reasons that Copilot often has access to data that it “perhaps” shouldn’t have is not due to security flaw or issue across Copilot or Microsoft 365, but because files or sites have been shared too widely and have no (or the wrong) privacy and sensitivity set. Addressing this is no small task since many organisations will have million of files and tens of thousands of SharePoint and Teams sites.
Organisations and even teams within organisations often operate at various levels of maturity in governing SharePoint data. While some orgaanisations strictly monitor permissions and oversharing of content, others do not. The situation is further complicated because many people, teams and organisations have “legitimate” reasons to share “some” data widely within the organisation. This can mean users in your organisation may make choices that result in the oversharing of SharePoint content. As an example
Users may save critical files in locations accessible to a wider audience than intended.
Users may prefer sharing content with large groups rather than specific individuals.
Users might not pay close attention to permissions when uploading files.
Users may not understand how to use sensitivity labelling (if enabled) to control access.
Services such as Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 utilise all data to which individual users have at least View permissions, which might include broadly shared files that the user is unaware of. As a result, users might see these applications as exposing content that was overshared. Oversharing can lead to sensitive information being exposed to unintended recipients. Users, while well intentioned, might not always grasp the implications of their sharing choices. They might overlook permissions or opt for convenience over security.
As a result, it’s important to use the permission models in SharePoint to ensure the right users or groups have the right access to the right content within your organisation. The following sections describe the key steps that administrators can implement to configure their SharePoint permissions model to help prevent data oversharing.
Dealing with Oversharing
The good news is that Microsoft is adding new features to SharePoint and Purview to make it easier to see, understand and control over sharing across Microsoft 365 with a hope to help adoption efforts and wider roll out of Microsoft 365 Copilot. This includes new Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) and enhancements for Data Loss Prevention policies in Microsoft 365 Copilot, and SharePoint Advanced Management. These can help automate site access reviews at scale and add controls to restrict access to sites if they contain highly sensitive information.
Microsoft have also released a blueprint guide for organisations planning to or deploying Copilot. These are nicely tailored to adjust to those with mainly Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 licenses respectively.
These new tools IMO are going to be vital to help organisation understand and address oversharing so they feel more feel confident in their employees adopting AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot.
AI is really good at finding information, and it can surface more information than you would have expected. This is why it’s really important to address oversharing. Typically, these issues are a by-product of good collaboration, particularly across Teams, SharePoint sites and OneDrive.
Alex Pozin | Director of Product Marketing | Microsoft
From early 2025, Microsoft will make access to SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM) available at no extra cost to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscriptions. Outside of this, SharePoint premium (which includes SAM ) will be available at a cost of around $3 per user each month.)
New Capabilities in SharePoint Advanced Management
There are also new features for SAM that Microsoft says will provide greater control over access to SharePoint files.
New permission state reports (available now) can identify “overshared” SharePoint sites. The site access review feature can then provide a easy way to ask site owners to review and address permissions.
Restricted Content Discovery – which should start to roll out this month in public preview (December 2024), will allow IT admins to prevent Copilot from searching and processing data in specific sites for content and result generation. This does not prevent direct access to the site meaning that users can access the content directly as normal. This feature builds on the SharePoint Restricted Access Control, which was released last year, and lets IT admins restrict site access to specific sites to just “site owners” only, while also preventing Copilot from indexing and summarising files in these sites.
One of the use cases for this, are for where there are data locations containing information that needs to be contained to a set of people – such as financial reports, M&A planning, amnd other secret stuff. IT need to be confident that these locations and files will not show up in SharePoint searches and will be well out the reach of Copilot or other AI tools, essentially making sure that nobody can accidently or unintentionally be aware of, see or access the content. This is where Restricted Content Discovery comes in – locking down and hiding this information from plain site and from Copilot’s retrieval augmentation and indexing.
New Capabilities in Microsoft Purview
Microsoft are also adding new capabilities in Purview too. Purview is available as standalone or is part of Microsoft 365 E5.
/
Microsoft Purview is a centralised hub within Microsoft 365 that helps organisations meet regulatory and compliance requirements. It helps organisations manage their compliance obligations, protect sensitive data, and mitigate risks within their Microsoft 365 environment.
Here, there are new tools to help identify “overshared files” that can be accessed by Copilot. These includes oversharing assessments for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the Data Security Posture Management (DPSM) tool which is now in Public Preview (from December 2024) and can be accessed via the newly revamped Purview portal.
DSPM Portal in Microsoft Purview
The oversharing assessments are designed to highlight data that may present exposure risk by scanning files for sensitive data and identifying data repositories such as SharePoint and Teams sites where access permissions appear to be too wide and broad. The tool will also provide recommendations to admins and site owners for ways to mitigate oversharing risk, such as adding sensitivity labels or restricting access from SharePoint.
For example, DSPM can detect and help you deal with controlling ethical behaviour in AI (example demo environment below). For all the recommendation, Microsoft provides a simple step by step “wizard” to help IT and Compliance add policies.
Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention for Microsoft 365 Copilot, also in public preview, enables IT and security admins to create data loss prevention (DLP) policies to exclude certain documents from being processed by Copilot based on a the file or sites sensitivity label. This applies to files held in SharePoint and OneDrive, but can be configured at other levels, such as group, site, and user, to provide more flexibility around who can access what.
Insider Risk Management has also been updated to detect “risky AI usage.” This even includes user prompts that contain sensitive information and attempts by users to access unauthorised sensitive information. What’s key to note here is that this feature is not just limited to Microsoft 365 Copilot and also also covers Copilot Studio, and ChatGPT Enterprise.
Oversharing Blue Prints
I really like this. Microsoft’s new blueprint resource pages on Microsoft Learn provide recommended approaches and guidance for organisations to help them understand, mitigate and manage oversharing during what they define as the three main stages of Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment.
Pilot [Pilot]
Wider Deployment [Deploy at Scale]
Organisational Rollout [Operate]
Microsoft provide two blueprint designs. A “foundational path” and what they call an “optimised path” that uses some of the more Microsoft 365 advanced data security and governance tools found in Microsoft 365 E5 subscriptions.
Is there funding available to help?
It depends – but most likely!
Microsoft have a Cyber Security Investment Program open to select/specialist partners like Cisilion. These provide funded workshops, assessments and proof of value deployments across key Security workloads including Microsoft Purview as well as structured Copilot pilot deployments, vision and value
Organisations should speak to their Microsoft Solutions Partner for more information. You can contact Cisilion here should you need to.
Conclusion
In many of the discussions I and my team at Cisilion have with customers, we see that almost all of the organisations we work still have concerns over data governance in the realm of AI access. Of these most expect Microsoft to help them address these whilst some have already invested in third party tools to help them get a “grip” on their data and sharing.
We have seen a plethora of customers invest/upgrade to high-tier Microsoft 365 plans (including E5 Security and Compliance) or full Microsoft 365 E5 in order to gain access to Microsoft Purview. Some argue these tools should be provided as part of their Copilot investment, so it is great to see Microsoft meeting customers in the middle and at least providing some of these tools as part of this license investment.
The issue is not Copilot per-say, but it is that Copilot with it’s ability to access compnay data is causing more organisations to double down and look at the existing issues they have of too many SharePoint Sites, too much over sharing, orphaned data (data with no owner) inadequate data classification and labeling.
By addressing security and data governance and levering the new tools available, this at least should solve one of the blockers to AI adoption.
The second is Adoption and Change Management – more on that in the next blog post!
Microsoft has recently expanded the testing of its innovative Recall AI feature to Intel- and AMD-powered AI and Copilot Plus PCs. Initially available on Qualcomm-powered devices only, this feature is now accessible to a broader range of devices for testing.
Initially recalled due to privacy concerns this is now in Public Preview for Windows Insiders on the Dev Channel.
Recall works by taking screenshots of almost everything you do on your Copilot+ PC, (these are devices with dedicated NPUs that run at 45 Trillion Operations per Second (TOPS) or more). Recall makes it easy to search and recall past activities such as “the train route I was looking at on Tuesday” rather then scanning back through Internet search history.
Recall on Copilot+ PCs
This feature is entirely optional to use, but when enabled enabled, helps users find previous work, content or Internet data through natural language search or an interactive scrollable timeline.
As the user, you are completely in control of what snapshots are saved and how long for, and have the ability to delete them as needed, ensuring upmost privacy and security. Snaps shots require TPM, secure boot and Windows Hello to be active on the device and Microsoft has not access to the data which is encrypted on your device.
The power of Edge AI
Unlike services like Copilot, Recall and many of the newer Copilot+ PC features leverage local LLM models on the device as well as the NPU’s present on Copilot+ PC devices like the Surface Laptop 7 and Pro 11 range. As such when you install the #WindowsInsider Dev builds, you’ll also notice that Windows Updates installs a number of processing services as well as the Phi Silica LLM.
Recalls’ enhanced security and privacy
Microsoft has implemented many new security updates and controls to address initial concerns raised by security folk and early testers.
As I mentioned, accessing snapshots now requires Windows Hello for authentication, and the feature mandates the use of BitLocker and Secure Boot. Additionally, Recall can now automatically detects and excludes sensitive information like credit card details and passwords from being saved.
Click-to-Do and more AI features
Alongside Recall, Microsoft is also allowing Insiders on Copilot+ PCs to test out Click to Do feature, which recognise text and images in snapshots and content in screen allowing users to perform actions like copying text, invoking Copilot, saving and editing images and more. This functionality extends beyond Recall, enabling users to take actions on images and text with a simple Windows + Q key or Windows Key + mouse click.
In Paint, the new Cocreator top lets you create art and images by simply typing in text prompts. The Photos app has also been updated with new tools including Image Creator, which lets users make images from text prompts, and Restyle Image, which lets users add different artistic styles to their existing photos. You also get powerful generative erase tools which can be accessed directly from the app or from Click-To-Do.
These tools use local AI and analysis models on the Copilot+ PCs to work efficiently on the device itself through the use of the NPU.
Conclusion
Microsoft initially only made these features available for Snapdragon (ARM based) Copilot+ PCs but with this update they are continuing to u lease the new AI features in Windows 11 to more devices. The expansion of Recall to Intel and AMD Copilot+ PCs marks a step forward in enhancing user experience and productivity on this next generarion of devices.
Copilot was very much front and center at Microsoft Ignite last month. However, the Windows ecosystem also had lots of coverage. This includes Windows 11, new devices, Windows 365, and Windows 365 Link. Along with this, Microsoft talked in depth about the importance of the new Windows Security Initiative.
This forms part of the Secure Futures Initiative , a wider efforts to ensure everything access the Microsoft eco-system is secure by design and secure by default.
The Windows Security Intuitive is a comprehensive effort to ensure that Windows remains the most reliable and secure platform on earth. This blog summarise the key Windows and Devices announcements from Ignite 2024.
The Windows Keynote session at Ignite was delivered Pavan Davuluri, Aidan Marcuss, Navjot Virk and David Weston and can be viewed here on demand from Microsoft.
Windows 11 – The Most Secure Windows Ever
Windows 10 is end of life in October 2025, but Windows 11 has been mainstream now since 2021. Windows has always been the platform for innovation, meeting the needs of over a billion customers across enterprise, public sector, education, creators, developers and engineers. With this comes Microsoft’s responsibility to deliver the most reliable and secure platform.
The “CrowdStrike incident” back in July 2024, which impacted 8.5 million devices, was a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and innovation and the need to have better controls in place to protect the core of the Windows OS. “EU policy prevents Microsoft restricting access to its kernel”, but Microsoft have, following the global incident, announced the Windows Resiliency Initiative. This initiative aims at making Windows more reliable and secure for all customers, including those with mission-critical workloads but introducing changes to how both Microsoft and third-parties manage critical workloads and updates within Windows 11.
Changes After the Crowdstrike Incident
In the key note, David Weston shared insights from conversations with hundreds of customers, including CISOs, CIOs, and incident responders. The feedback highlighted the need for easier recovery, stronger resilience of critical security tools, and overall platform security. Microsoft is addressing these needs through the Windows Resilient Security Platform, which allows security product developers to build products outside of kernel mode, reducing complexity and improving recovery.
“In addition to the work we are doing with CISA as part of Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative, we are heavily investing in safe languages to enhance the safety of our code. This commitment also aligns with CISA’s secure by design pledge. We’re applying this new approach to our security platform and other key areas like Microsoft Surface’s firmware and the Pluton security processor firmware. Part of becoming resilient is also increasing the prevention of attacks, so more security has been built into the operating system and not bolted on later. This reduces complexity and ensures you deploy less software that could become the next failure point. This is why we are targeting the most critical elements of Windows 11.”
David Weston | VP Enterprise and OS Security | Microsoft
Changes in Windows coming…
Improving Windows Reliability – with new capabilities to enable security product developers to build their products outside of kernel mode. This is known as the Windows Resilient Security Platform, which provides a flexible security API set and data collection points that can be used to build endpoint security products like detection and response or antivirus outside of the kernel. This change will help end-user protection and antivirus products provide a high level of security and easier recovery, with less impact on Windows in the event of a crash or mistake
Quick Machine Recovery – This solution can execute targeted fixes from Windows Update on machines, even when Windows is unable to boot. This will allow for quick deployment of fixes that address files, drivers, or any other operation needed to recover a non-bootable machine.
Strengthening Security Tools and Drivers – Microsoft are working with industry-leading security partners and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to define new ways to increase resilience across the ecosystem. This includes adopting safe deployment practices, conducting additional security and compatibility testing for components like security kernel drivers, and developing strengthened incident response processes for streamlined coordination.
Enhancing Identity Protection – To combat the increasing risk and success in cases of sophisticated phishing attacks, Microsoft has hardened Windows Hello, the built-in industry leading multi-factor authentication (MFA) solution. Windows Hello now supports passkeys, which means much of the web can be protected with MFA seamlessly. This enhancement ensures that users no longer need to choose between a simple sign-in and a safe one. This is one step further to help customers remove passwords from their environment.
Local Administrator Protection – Microsoft is introducing administrator protection to address the challenge of over-privileged users and applications. With admin protection, everyone (even admins) will have standard user permissions by default and can make Windows system changes, including app installation, only when necessary and after authorising the change using Windows Hello. This reduces the risk of attacks by ensuring that employees, not malware, remain in control of Windows.
Deep Collaboration with CISA – Microsoft and the CISA are providing a framework for the IT industry as a whole to ensure that all partners, customers, and organisations can stay ahead of evolving security threats. This collaboration aims to deliver software that is safe, secure, and resilient through secure by design, secure by default, and secure through delivery practices.
These changes and improvements are part of Microsoft’s commitment to making Windows reliable and secure for all customers, including mission-critical workloads. The Windows Resiliency Initiative represents a significant step forward in ensuring that Windows remains the most secure and reliable platform on earth.
Windows 11 – Ease of Migration, Management and Updates
Windows 11 builds on Windows 10 technologies and further simplifies the management and migration process to Windows 11. Windows 11 can be managed with the same tools and processes used for Windows 10, ensuring minimal disruption to the workforce. The compatibility with App Assure guarantees that all apps will work seamlessly on Windows 11.
In contrast, Windows 11 updates are 40% smaller in size, making it easier to stay up to date and reducing impact on users/employees as well as on network bandwidth, disk-space and time.
Windows 10 to Windows 11 – Compatibility with App Assure
App Assure is a key component of the Windows 11 upgrade experience as it was in the Windows 7 to Windows 10 experience. App Assure ensures that all apps are compatible with the new operating system through millions of real life feedback, crash reports and user feedback. This application compatibility is backed by Microsoft’s promise to address any app issues that may arise, providing peace of mind for businesses transitioning to Windows 11. The App Assure portal provides guidance, assurance and clarity of application and application version compatibility.
Updates, Hotfixes, and Autopatch
Windows 11 is introducing several new features to streamline updates and hotfixes.
Quick Machine Recovery allows targeted fixes from Windows Update on machines that are unable to boot, ensuring quick recovery during incidents.
Windows Hotpatch, available through Autopatch settings in Intune, delivers Patch Tuesday security updates directly to employees seamlessly in the background without requiring a restart, reducing interruptions and speeding up the deployment of security updates.
Windows Hotpatch is one that is super important. By using Windows Hotpatch through Autopatch settings in Intune, Microsoft say that 65% of Patch Tuesday security updates are delivered directly without requiring a restart. This significantly reduces restarts and interruptions, allowing security updates to be deployed 60% faster.
According to Forrester research, moving to Windows 11 delivers an impressive 250% return on investment over three years compared to Windows 10.
Windows Backup for Entra ID
Another exciting new feature announced at Microsoft Ignite is Windows Backup for Entra ID. This feature, available in public preview in early 2025, will help organisations ensure a seamless transition of use settings and preferences when setting up a new PC or performing a traditional reinstall which is typical with OS upgrades in larger enterprises.
With Windows Backup, employees can easily transfer their desktop background, icon size, and other preferences to a new device, ensuring a consistent and familiar experience. This reduces the time spent on setup, allowing employees to be productive faster and significantly reducing IT overhead and help desk calls.
Windows 11 – New devices and un-paralleled performance
Speed and Performance
Windows 11 is designed to deliver superior speed and performance. Bear in mind WIndows 10 is 10 years old and was designed for a pre-pandemic world and a world where AI didn’t touch the end-point.
Newer Windows 11 devices offer double the battery life and more than three times the performance of older Windows 10 devices.
Microsoft’s introduction of Copilot+ PCs and AI-PCs, built for AI workloads, is setting a new new standard for productivity, combining advanced AI inferencing capabilities with top-notch security and performance. Satya said in his key note that all applications will be rebuilt as AI apps and Windows is no different. Microsoft are re-writing their apps and OS for the AI era and simple examples include simple in-box tools like Notepad and Paint that have advanced AI capability.
Leading vendors like Adobe are adding new capabilities in their applications that leverage local NPUs found in new Windows 11 Copillot+ and AI PCs
The New Generation of Devices in Copilot+ PCs
The new generation of devices in Copilot+ PCs is designed to harness the full potential of AI. These devices (again bvery centre stateg at Ignite) come equipped with advanced AI inferencing capabilities, enabling them to handle complex workloads with ease. Their Neural Processors (NPUs) can operate at more than 45 Trillion Operations a Second (TOPS) providing the fastes edge AI processing in the world. The integration of AI into these devices not only enhances productivity but also ensures that security measures are robust and effective.
With features like real-time threat detection and automated responses, Copilot+ PCs provide a secure and efficient environment for businesses and consumers.
The day after Ignite, Microsoft also released Recall and Click-To-Do into public preview for users enrolled on the Windows Insider Programme.
Windows 11 – Sustainability and Windows 365
Modernising isn’t just about cost savings; it’s about the collective responsibility and impact on the global economy, our business and the environment. Microsoft has committed to advancing sustainability, and adopting Windows 11 helps in achieving your company’s sustainability goals.
Microsoft boldly shared that Windows 11 reduces energy use as the “world’s first carbon-aware OS” and offers Energy Saver, increasing energy efficiency by up to 22%.
Microsoft talked about their own devices, Surface which are manufactured using recycled materials and more renewable energy. As an example, Surface enclosures use 100% recycled aluminum alloy and 100% recycled rare earth materials. They also used this time to share existing and new programs to help organisations reduce e-waste with the recycling and refurbishment opportunities available across our ecosystem partners such as Cisilion. There’s a dedicated sustainability site for Surface -> here <-
Microsoft also shared several examples of how organisations can extend the life of (and even breath new life into) older hardware with Windows 365 without sacrificing security protection or experience.
Windows 365 and Windows 365 Link
Microsoft shared how Windows 365 plays can not only play a crucial role in this sustainability effort but also used the opportunity to announce their new dedicated “thin client” device called Windows 365 Link.
Priced at $349 and available from Spring 2025, these dedicated low power, sustainability built devices can provide local compute power but with no IT footprint to securely streams employees full personal Windows 11 desktop with all their apps, content, and settings directly from the Microsoft Cloud.
Windows 365 can run on any device include Web, dedicated devices like Windows 365 Link, and even mobile devices on iOS and Android as well of course as legacy Windows 10 devices and even Windows 11.
The flexibility of Windows 365 allows businesses in any sector and any size to reduce their IT infrastructure and management complexity while providing a consistent and secure experience for employees. Windows 365 is designed to complement your Windows 11 end user computing estate, enabling more endpoints and form factors, and unlocking more value and options for businesses.
Windows 365 is also great for contractors, testing migrations to Windows 11 and also for running secure workloads as well as for education and front line workers.
What have I missed?
There were lots of announcement around Windows and Devices at Ignite. The Windows Security Initiative clearly represents a significant step forward in ensuring that Windows remains the most secure and reliable platform.
With new enhanced security measures, simplified management and migration, seamless compatibility with App Assure, and innovative update mechanisms, Windows 11 is promising to deliver unparalleled speed, performance, security, agility and management.
Microsoft announced at Ignite, the new Facilitator agent – an update to the AI notes in Teams that works inside your meetings and chat and is designed to enhance collaboration and streamline the way teams work. It works similar to the AI generated notes after a meeting, but this works live alongside you and all participants can see it working live in the meeting.
How Facilitator works in Teams Meetings
Facilitator will take real-time notes during Teams meetings (not currently adhoc meetings or Meet Now), enabling everyone to co-author and collaborate seamlessly. This allows meeting participants to focus and engage more deeply in meetings, while ensuring alignment before the meeting concludes.
To enable this feature and use it a meeting, organisers can toggle AI-generated notes setting on or off when setting up a meeting in the Teams calendar or enable it during the meeting via the Notes section in the meeting.
Once enabled, a notification appears in the meeting chat to inform all participants. This also activates meeting transcription, with a notification to users… During the meeting, participants can click on Notes to open a pane where the AI generated live notes are created every few minutes, organised by topics and follow-up tasks.
What is nice about this is that participants can edit the notes inline or assign tasks to users, with attributions indicating whether the content is AI-generated or user-edited making these Co authored notes by humans and AI!
After the meeting ends, notes continue to be accessible in the Recap tab and are stored in the OneDrive of the user who enabled real-time notes. These notes are contextual to the meeting transcript, ensuring relevance and accuracy.
Future Capabilities in Meetings
As the Facilitator agent gets developed futrther, Microsoft say that it will be able to take on more tasks to enhance meeting effectiveness. Soon, it will also manage meetings from end-to-end, including managing agendas, moderating discussions, and handling action items automatically or semi-automatically
In early 2025, the real-time note-taking experience will also expand to Microsoft Teams Rooms. Employees will be able to invite a Teams Room to a meeting, allowing all participants to see real-time notes however, they have joined the meeting. This feature will also be available for ad-hoc meetings, enabling in-office discussions to be captured seamlessly.
How Facilitator works in Teams Chats
As of now (November 2024), the Facilitator Agent creates and maintains up-to-date summaries of what it considers valuable information within Teams chats. This includes key decisions, action items, and open questions, helping groups stay focused, align faster, and resolve issues efficiently.
AI-generated notes are automatically enabled when creating a new chat. For existing chats, users can toggle it on via the Notes icon which is shown at the top right of the chat window as shown below.
When notes are enabled, a notification appears in the group chat to inform everyone that notes are being taken in real time.
To access the notes users simply click on the Notes icon in the top right corner of the chat to show a summary of the chat thread, organised by topics with corresponding decisions, action items, and unanswered questions.
These are continuously updated as the chat conversation progresses.
Availability and access
Facilitator is already in public preview now for desktop (Windows/Mac), web, and iOS/Android. To access the public preview of the new Facilitator agent, meeting hosts need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Facilitator will only be available to users that have app permission policy for Microsoft apps set to “Allow all apps”. The Facilitator App will become available soon for Admins to see and manage in Teams admin center. For more information about app permission policies, see Manage app permission policies in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn
This week at Microsoft Ignite 2024, Microsoft unveiled new features and controls for SharePoint and Purview, aimed at empowering IT teams and ensuring robust data protection and governance. These enhancements are part of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to providing intelligent solutions that respect an organisations controls while driving productivity and efficiency. Oversharing of data is one of the most common causes of rogue data and poor data governance and one of the biggest blockers to wider AI adoption.
Microsoft offers two powerful tools to address this concern of oversharing: SharePoint Advanced Management for site management and content governance capabilities, and Microsoft Purview for security, compliance, and governance across data and files. Both have new capabilities and availability following announcements at Ignite in Chicago.
Advanced Management for SharePoint for Copilot.
To give IT teams even more control, Microsoft have said that SharePoint Advanced Management will be included at no additional charge for Copilot customers. There’s also need and updated features coming.
Restricted Content Discovery (RCD) to help identify and manage content that is restricted or sensitive, ensuring that such content is not overshared within the organisation. This works by allowing SharePoint Administrators to restrict specific SharePoint sites from participating in organisation wide search and Microsoft 365 Chat. Once configured, all content from the site will be hidden from tenant-wide search and Microsoft 365 Chat by default for all users in the tenant, even if a user has site access permissions. While child content will be hidden by default, users will still be able to search for content they have recently interacted with. This includes recently accessed and modified files, even if RCD is applied to the parent site. Searches originating from a site context will not be impacted.This will be available in Public Preview in December 2024 and Generally Available from March 2025
Restricted Access Control (RAC) feature allows administrators to control and restrict access to specific sites or content within SharePoint to helps in preventing unauthorised access and oversharing of sensitive information. New AI content governance controls and insights will be available in early 2025.
Deployment Blueprint is a new feature that will offers a structured approach to deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot while addressing the risks of information oversharing. It will include best practices, guidelines, and tools to ensure that sensitive information is protected during the deployment process.
SharePoint Advanced Management will be Generally available in Q1 2025 and will allow IT to better govern access and usage of Copilot and agents, including controls over which users can use Copilot and agents, along with visibility into agent status and life cycle.
SharePoint Advanced Management will be included as standard for organisations with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses.
Purview
Data Loss Prevention – To provide addition protection, Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) will soon be extended to support Microsoft 365 Copilot. DLP policies will be able to identify sensitive documents based on sensitivity labels and exclude processing for Copilot interactions in Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Chat. In preview from December.
Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) provides insights into the security posture of data within the organisation. It helps in identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities related to data oversharing and provides recommendations to mitigate these risks.
Risky AI Usage Detection is a new feature which can detect and alert admins about potentially risky usage of AI within the organization. It helps in preventing data leakage and unauthorised access by monitoring AI activities. This is now in public preview.
GenAI Risk Detections is another feature which focuses on detecting risks associated with the use of generative AI. It ensures that AI-generated content does not lead to oversharing of sensitive information or unauthorised access.
Measurement and Reporting with Copilot Analytics
To help IT and business leaders track adoption patterns and return on investment from the use of Copilot and agents, Microsoft is introducing Copilot Analytics.
This new feature includes out-of-the-box experiences to measure Copilot adoption and business impact, customisable reporting for deeper analysis.
The new Copilot Analytics. Microsoft Viva Insights will be included in Copilot at no additional charge as part of this new analytics suite.
How Microsoft partners can help
Cisilion, as your Copilot Jumpstart partner, will be incorporating these new features and controls into our guidance and briefing and expect Microsoft will rapidly be updating their official documentation and guidance.
The Copilot Pilot programme, entwines technical readiness with business guidance and comprehensive adoption and change management to ensures that your organisation receives the most up-to-date and comprehensive support in leveraging these advancements for optimal data protection and governance whilst putting these into practice for a smooth and measurable pilot.
Conclusion
These new controls and features are designed to provide IT teams with the tools they need to govern access, usage, and reporting while ensuring data protection and governance. Microsoft is committed to helping organisations leverage the power of AI to drive productivity, efficiency, and security.
Microsoft has introduced autonomous Copilot AI agents in public preview. These agents can learn, adapt, and make decisions, aiming to assist employees with various tasks and improve productivity. While AI has the potential to displace some jobs, it also creates new opportunities and enhances productivity.
Microsoft’s wave of Autonomous agents are here
Microsoft has unveiled new tools designed to help businesses create software agents powered by foundation models, referred to as autonomous Copilot AI agents. These agents are currently available in public preview.
Copilot is Microsoft’s generic term for all their AI-driven productivity workloads. Copilot is built upon the advanced GPT-4 series of large language models by OpenAI and offers a chatbot interface where users can input text, images, or audio prompts to receive responses tailored to their needs. Microsoft 365 Copilot also seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Teams, and Excel. It can generate documents, analyse extensive Excel spreadsheets, summarise meetings content, rewrite documents, create entire PowerPoint presentations and even reason over your inbox and company information you have access too….., and much, much more.
The next step in Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advancement is through what are termed AI-Agents, which are chat bots that can not only respond but can also perform a series of linked tasks (actions) based on user instructions. This new wave went into public preview this week at Microsoft Ignite in Chicago.
What are Microsoft 365 Copilot Agents?
This first stage of the next phase of evolution comes with Microsoft introducing a set of Microsoft 365 Copilot agents with predefined roles. These include:
Agents in SharePoint. These can be customers with a personalised name and certain behaviours, and can be shared across emails, meetings and chats, with users being able to ask the agents questions and getting real-time responses. These are grounded just on the SharePoint sites and files you specify. One created, employees can ask the agents questions about data across your files. These agents can even be shared or published in Teams for simple access.
The Employee Self-Service Agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Chat (this currently in private preview), will be able to respond to specific HR and IT questions. It can retrieve employee benefits and even things like payroll info and holiday information, or request help from IT such as a new mouse, password reset etc.
The Facilitator agent (in public preview), works like a assistant in meetings and goes beyond the current AI notes that Teams Premium offers. It can take notes, curate actions and even pull up information or execute instructions such as “see if Bob is free and invite him to the meeting”. It will also be able to summarise the conversations based on the role of the participants.
The Interpreter agent (due in preview in early 2025) promises real-time interpretation in Teams meetings in up to nine languages. It will also be able to sample and then simulate their personal voice for a more inclusive experience as part of the translation, essentially using the sound of your voice in the language of the other participants. It was great to see this in action at ignite in a live demo!
The Project Manager agent, will be able to act and work like a PM with the ability to automate project management, from planning to execution using Microsoft (and later other) project tools like Planner.
For organisations that need more control or different templates to build on and use, Microsoft Copilot Studio provides a way to customise or create your own AI agent behaviour.
Agents in Copilot Studio
Agents built in Copilot Studio can operate independently, dynamically planning and learning from processes, adapting to changing conditions, and making decisions without the need for constant human intervention,These autonomous agents can be triggered by data changes, events, and other background tasks – and not just through chat.
Copilot Studio bundles many templates for common agent scenarios that can serve as the basis for a customised version. It will also shortly support voice-enabled agents, image uploading (for analysis by GPT-4o), and knowledge tuning with the added ability automatically add new sources of knowledge to help agents respond to questions.
Devs can use the Agent SDK to access services from Azure AI, Semantic Kernel, and Copilot Studio. There’s also an Azure AI Foundry (also launched at Ignite) integration that links Copilot Studio to facilitate connection to services like Azure AI Search and the Azure AI model catalog.
Finally, a public preview of agent builder in Power Apps was also announced at Ignite.
What about Responsible AI?
Sarah Bird, chief product officer for Responsible AI, wrote in a blog post this week that extra safety considerations arise with autonomous agents and that Microsoft is focused on ensuring that they behave and hand over to human before taking unexpected actions which can have big impacts and that extra guard rails and protections will be put in place.
The blog post talks about examples of such measures including the vital need for a human-in-the-loop check to make sure autonomous decision-making doesn’t do things it’s not expected too. Nothing demonstrates confidence in automation more than a human approval process.
Microsoft also suggest that anyone looking to get a sense of AI agents in a real role, can try out the Linked In Hiring Assistant which is designed to help HR hiring teams speed up the process of dealing with the Admin involved in reviewing job applications.
Key Benefits
The key Benefits these new adaptions to Copilot. Agents should bring to users and organisations includes:
Learning and Adaptation: The Copilot AI agents can learn from their environment and adapt to new information and tasks.
Decision-Making: These agents are capable of making decisions to assist users in their daily work.
Productivity Enhancement: The primary goal is to empower employees by reducing workload and improving efficiency in tasks such as managing meetings, emails, and creating presentations.
Automation of some tasks connected to regular and recurring inquiries or asks.
Human Impact – what about jobs!
The introduction of AI and automation, including Microsoft’s Copilot AI agents, has the potential to impact the roles of people in jobs.
Job Displacement: People naturally worry that AI has the potential to replace certain jobs, particularly those involving repetitive and manual tasks. According to a report by Goldman Sachs, AI could replace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs….. But.
Job Creation: On the other hand, AI also creates new job opportunities. It can lead to the emergence of new roles that require advanced technical skills and the ability to work with AI systems
Economic Impact: AI is expected to contribute significantly to global economic growth. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that AI could deliver additional global economic activity of around $13 trillion by 2030
Skill Demand: The demand for skills will shift towards more advanced and technical capabilities. Employees will need to upskill and reskill to stay relevant in the evolving job market. AI skills will be similar requirement to the “Internet skills” we saw on CVs in the 1990s!
Conclusion
Microsoft’s autonomous Copilot AI agents represent a significant step towards integrating advanced AI into everyday business operations. By enhancing productivity and reducing routine workload, these agents have the potential to transform how employees manage their tasks.
These will be in public preview very soon as these often take a few weeks to rollout across the globe.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 22/11/2024 (1) How Will Artificial Intelligence Affect Jobs 2024-2030. https://www.nexford.edu/insights/how-will-ai-affect-jobs.
(3) The impact of AI on jobs – GOV.UK. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1023590/impact-of-ai-on-jobs.pdf.
In our recent fireside chat, we delved into the transformative potential of AI agents across multiple industries. These business areas include customer service, IT support, and internal business support. The discussion, titled “Rise of the AI Agents,” brought together industry experts across several fields. These included transportation, public sector, legal, media, and executive search. The panel explored how AI is reshaping customer and consumer interactions and discussed enhancing efficiency and driving more inclusive interactions.
Introduction to AI Agents
We kicked off the session our fireside chat by setting the scene. We highlighted the traditional challenges faced in contact centers. These include long hold times and inefficient call transfers between chat bots and human agents. Here we agreed on these and but also the importance of not just jumping on “injecting ChatGPT” into workflows, but instead discussed the advent and value of generative AI and human-like conversation across chat and AI-Voice and how these rapid technology advancements have the potential to revolutionise these experiences.
AI agents, leveraging large language models like, are now capable of understanding context, handling a wide range of queries, and providing personalized responses and we are seeing Contact Center solutions such as Cisco Webex, starting to infuse this technology to assist end-to-end in the Human-to AI, Human-to-AI-to-Human, and Human-to-Human conversation.
AI agents leverage advanced technologies like large language models (LLMs) and machine learning to provide more dynamic and context-aware interactions. AI agents can understand and generate natural language. This ability allows them to handle a wider range of queries. They also provide more personalised responses. They can learn from data and feedback, improving their performance over time without needing manual updates.
AI agents can also integrate with various data sources and systems, enabling them to provide more comprehensive and accurate information.
Autonomous Agents can operate entirely independently, without human intervention. They can handle multi-step tasks, make decisions based on pre-programmed logic, and adapt to new situations using advanced AI techniques like reinforcement learning. These agents are ideal for environments where human input is minimal or impractical.
Semi-Autonomous Agents on the other hand, still involve a “human in the loop.” While they can perform many tasks independently, they require human input for certain decisions or actions. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of automation with the oversight of human expertise, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
The example below is a recent marketing video from Cisco introducing their new AI agent in Webex Contact Centre.
AI Agent example in Cisco Webex Contact Centre
AI Agent – Use Cases
Through the discussion, the panel agreed on several key areas in which AI assisted agents could add value.
Customer Support: Investing (or extending existing platform) in AI agents can help multiple lines of business better and more efficiently handle routine customer inquiries, such as changing addresses, booking or changing appointments, and freeing up human agents to work on less trivial customer requests or more complex issues.
Sales Assistance: Another area discussed, was where AI can assist human agents (for example in sales or customer service), by providing real-time information and suggestions during human customer interactions, improving the chances of successful sales conversations, such as overcoming objections or asking for more technical information about a product or service.
Customer Service and Complaints: helping agents improve their interaction with their customers, such as making agents aware of similar problems, outages or similar calls that led to successful outcomes or helping explain something better or in a different way to their customer.
Training and Development: AI can be used to train new agents by simulating customer interactions and providing feedback, helping them improve their skills more quickly. This can be used for onboarding fresh staff, running different customer scenarios or reviewing previous calls for improvement
Sentiment Analysis: Using AI to analyse customer sentiment during interactions, allowing agents to adjust their approach and improve customer satisfaction as well as flagging to supervisors early where interaction or training may be needed.
AI Agent Value and Applications
Driving efficiency and improving satisfaction
Darren Everden (London Borough of Hillingdon) shared his insights on how local authorities are looking at utilising AI to improve resident interactions. David emphasised the importance of channel shift and transformation in the public sector, driven by funding reductions and the need for more cost-effective solutions that also improve the resident experience and resolution rate. Darren highlighted the evolution of chatbots, which can now use natural language processing to understand and respond to resident queries more effectively. He also discussed the potential of integrating AI into voice channels, enhancing accessibility and providing a more natural interaction experience making it almost impossible to differentiate from human voice. Interactions are far more natural than ever, and this continues to evolve and improve with models such as ChatGPT-4o.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Ken Dickie from Leathwaite Executive Search, discussed the role of AI in promoting and improving inclusivity and accessibility. He pointed out that AI agents are far better at being able to adapt to the needs of users with disabilities, such as dyslexia, by adjusting text spacing or providing audio responses something human only operated agents simply cannot easily do This real-time adaptability empowers individuals to engage with systems more effectively. Ken also mentioned the global reach of AI, enabling organisations to provide support in multiple languages, thus breaking down communication barriers.
Enhancing Agent Efficiency
Aidan Shanahan from Govia Thameslink Railway discussed the benefits of AI in assisting human agents. He discussed his view on where AI can provide real-time guidance and sentiment analysis, helping agents handle customer interactions more effectively. The panel here discussed the role AI as an human assistant (An Agent to the Agent) being particularly valuable in high-stress situations, such as handling complaints, where AI can suggest appropriate responses based on the customer’s tone. Aidan also highlighted the potential for AI to improve internal processes, such as IT support, by automating routine tasks and reducing response times, replacing laboreous processes with natural language requests.
Jas Bassi from Gately highlighted the potential applications of AI in the legal sector. While acknowledging the generational differences in adopting new technologies, Jas emphasized the need for a multi-channel approach that includes both human and AI interactions. He pointed out that AI can deliver efficiency gains in transactional activities, ensuring faster and more consistent service delivery. However, he also raised concerns about biases in AI training and the risk of deep fakes, underscoring the importance of maintaining a balance between automation and human oversight.
Low cost of entry and ease of Proof of Concept
Alex Taylor from Awin shared his experience with implementing AI agents internally at Awin. He mentioned that this is no longer about one off business cases and specific dictated expensive systems. He shared that he is seeing huge interest in the use of AI agents across various departments, such as InfoSec and marketing, in leveraging AI to not only automate and ease customer interactions but also going beyond this and automating processes and improving efficiency. He emphasised the importance of extending this value by connecting backend systems (which also involved in many cases minimising diserpate vendrs) and ensuring they are “compatible” to maximize their effectiveness with automation and semi-automatic interactions. He realised examples, of automatically logging tickets, providing simple answers to issues and even liaising with other systems or processes.
Finally Alex and Ken agreed that the bar to entry is much lower, with a similar approach,. bring able to serve multiple departments, handle thousands of enquiries and not only reduce the cost, but truely delivery faster, more inclusive and international support even for organisations that don’t have global offices.
Conclusion: The Value and Opportunities of AI Agents
Our fireside chat concluded that there were several key value points when it comes to the use and exploration of AI agents across customer and employee focused formal contact centers but also across more adhoc and internal communications within and across business, from website chat to internal IT support.
Enhanced Customer Interaction: AI agents can provide more efficient and personalized customer service, reducing wait times and improving satisfaction
Cost-Effective Solutions: The low cost of entry and easy of deployment (compared to the previous laborious process of programming conversational paths), enables organisations to handle a higher volume of interactions without significantly increasing costs, making it a viable option for sectors with budget constraints and most importantly without a huge development and support burden.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: AI agents can adapt to the needs of diverse user groups, promoting inclusivity and breaking down language barriers both with end customers and with human-agents.
Supporting the Human Agents: AI assists can act as a huge support for human agents by providing real-time guidance, sentiment analysis, and automating routine tasks, enhancing overall efficiency and can even help handle delicate situations, detect agent stress and suggest rest-bites and training to supervisors based on AI assisted analysis.
Internal Process Optimisation: Used effectively, this can extend way beyond the conversation, streamlining internal workflows, reducing response times and improving productivity across various departments.
The new Agent Builder in SharePoint is designed to help people use and share Copilot Agents to query sibsets of data within your organistion using a simple click, point, create and tweak approach. Out of the box every SharePoint site (assuming you have a Copilot license) brings a Copilot sidebar allowing you to ask questions about the content, but you can also replace this with a custom Copilot Agent which we will walk through here.
The goal is to enable business users to easily empower their employees use Copilot to reason over specific information sources or across discrete repositories. Microsoft provide a handful of “use cases” as why a Copilot agent might be useful and what’s great is that “anyone” can create one!
Image – Microsoft Copilot Adoption Hub
Once created and tested, these custom Copilot Agents can be easily shared via a simple hyperlink that can be embedded in SharePoint pages or used in Teams.
In this how to blog, I walk you through the setup and customisation of a Copilot Agent using Agent Builder in SharePoint, customising of the agent, and sharing of the agent. Free to follow along and create your own agent.
Copilot agents are specialised AI assistants designed to enhance the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot by connecting to your organisation’s knowledge and data sources. They are custom tools embedded in Copilot Extensions, providing additional functionalities tailored to specific needs. In SharePoint, Copilot agents are natural language AI assistants that give trusted, precise answers and insights. Agents are expert systems that operate autonomously on behalf of a process or company.
Building your First Copilot Agent
Step 1 – Choose your starting point.
First, you need to navigate to a SharePoint site, library or document library you want to create an “agent” from. You will of couse need to have access to that Library and also need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license to create the agent.
From here, you can select the three dots and choose “Create a Copilot agent“
Step 2 – Click and you are done!
Done (well – you will probably want to customise it and test it), but once you do this, your Copilot Agent is created for you. Click “Edit” to make changes, such as change the name, and then of course test it out.
Step 3 – Edit and Customise
Here I have clicked “Edit” to take me to the customisation pages. From here you can toggle across different options to customise your Copilot agent.
The customisation pages are split into three sections – Idenitity, Sources and Bebaviour – each of these allow you to tweak the way the agent works. There’s also the ability to edit for advanced customisation through Copilot Studio but this feature is not available at time of writing…
In the Identity Section – you can change the name, icon and description (who the agent introduces itself to the user)
In the Sources Section – you can modify the sources that the Copilot Agent uses. You can add additonal SharePoint sites, individual files or extenal sources such as websites.
In most cases, I suspect you will want to use a single library or a discrete set of files, but you can add up to 20 different information sources. These 20 information sources can be mean sites, libraries, folders, or documents. What’s more, you can have a combination of these as long as the total is 20 sources – for example, you could add 20 sites or 20 documents, or 3 sites, 5 document libraries, 2 libraries and 10 descrete files as long the total sources totals 20.
Note: You of course need to ensure that the intended users of the agent have access to the sources your specify as agents run under the security context of the user using the agent.
In the Behaviour Section, you can customise the welcome message which will help your users to understand the purpose of this Copilot agent and can also edit or change the starter prompts to help users get some tips on some of the things the agent can do for them. You can also give the agent specific instructions on how it should respond and behave based on the user input.
As you update the behviour, you will see the changes in real-time.
Testing your Copilot Agent
Once you are ready, you can test your agent, simply writing a prompt in the chat dialog as you would with any other Copilot – feel free to try one of the templates or create your own.
Be sure to test a few things, you might find you need to update the user instructions and review the sources before you share it with other people to test further.
Once you are happy with your agent, click save. The agent is saved a “file” with a .copilot extension in the root of the SharePoint folder you started creating your agent in.
Using your Copilot agent
Once saved, your new Copilot Agent launches automatically for any user accessing the SharePoint library that has a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. This replaces the default copilot interface that opens when you visit a SharePoint library.
Sharing your Copilot agent
Since the Agent is encapsulated as a manifest “.copilot” file, you can simply share the file like you would any other file, or click the three dots and select share.
Once shared, they click on the file and open it and it displays like a standalone app or can of course access it from the SharePoint library directly.
[Current] Limitations
Currently Custom agents do not appear on the main Copilot Business Chat pages, though this is coming I beleive. On the FAQ on Microsoft’s support page it clearly states that “You can access a Copilot agent from a SharePoint site, page, or document library. You can also use it in Teams if added. We plan to make it available across Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Copilot.” https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/get-started-with-copilot-agents-in-sharepoint-69e2faf9-2c1e-4baa-8305-23e625021bcf.
Advanced editing with Copilot Studio is not currently available, but is also coming soon.
It’s not possible to “hide” the .copilot file (that I can see anyway), so make sure to change permissions on the file.
In a move that has surprised few, Microsoft has once again delayed the rollout of its controversial Recall feature for Copilot AI PCs. Initially planned for a June release to coincide with the new Copilot+PCs launch, Recall was then postponed to October while Microsoft addressed initial concerns around privacy and security.
This week however, Microsoft has yet again delayed this again with testing for Windows Insiders coming (so we are told) in December, which unfortunately falls after Ignite.
Microsoft Recall….
Security Concerns and Refinements
Recall’s primary value is to create a timeline of screenshots that users can scroll through and search. However, early testing revealed by security researchers discovered that the core database storing these screenshots and tagging was not encrypted, posing a massive security risk.
Microsoft have since addressed this by fully encrypting the database and requiring Windows Hello authentication for access.
Microsoft have also confirmed that Recall will now be an opt-in feature, allowing users to completely uninstall it if they choose.
Microsoft’s Cautious Approach
Brandon LeBlanc, senior product manager of Windows, enforced Microsoft’s commitment to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall.
Microsoft need to get this right in order to maintain trust with its customer base. He stated that the additional time is necessary to refine the feature before previewing it with Windows Insiders. Despite these assurances, social media shows huge skepticism about whether Microsoft will meet the new December deadline and even if they might scrap the feature all together. This will be a shame, as the value around it looks. Promising and is really ( currently) the one killer reason consumers were looking at when looking at investing in Copilot+ PCs outside of the huge battery life that these Qualcomm Snapdragon Powered devices deliver.
The repeated delays and security issues surrounding Recall highlight broader concerns within the AI industry.
There is a growing perception that companies are rushing to release new features without fully considering the potential consequences.
Microsoft’s cautious approach with Recall is a step in the right direction, but it also underscores the need for more rigorous testing and security measures in AI development.
Will Recall still be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs?
That’s a good question.
When Microsoft announced the Copilot+PC back in June, Recall was the flagship feature and it was unique to the device’s (and kinda stole the show).
Since then AMD and Intel have released their new AI PC chipsets offering similar NPU performance to the Snapdragon chips in Copilot+ PCs like Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7.
We now have NPU turbocharged PCs with Snapdragon® X Series, AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series and Intel® Core™ Ultra 200V Series devices after all.
We don’t know if this will remain an exclusive (I don’t see why it would) and if all the “exclusive AI features” that are part of Windows 11 24H2 will soon be lit up in any decide with a dedicated NPU.
From what I can… It will be supported… But some features are limited to Snapdragon, so we will have to wait and see….
Coming soon then… Or will it?
While the future of Recall still remains uncertain, Microsoft’s efforts to address security concerns and refine the feature are commendable, I just hope they haven’t missed the boat. We’ve already seen Apple quietly move forward with Apple Intelligence (clever) and it’s now embedded in MacOS. Microsoft need to move quick and innovate here to regain confidence and innovative is their mission to empower every person on the planet to achieve more (with their technology)!
Consumers, IT professionals, industry experts and social media will be keenly observing whether the Recall gets the release and value reputation it received back in June, with a secure and functional version of Recall to define what AI can really do in Windows.
I hope succeeds and brings life to the new AI PCs and Copilot+PCs or of it quietly gets canceled as skeptics seem to think…
Microsoft is taking a significant step forward in enhancing the Windows Hello experience on Windows 11. This overhaul, now in beta testing for Windows Insiders will bring a more intuitive and visually appealing interface for both facial, passkeys and fingerprint recognition.
New Windows Hello experience on Windows 11
Cleaner, More Intuitive UI
The revamped Windows Hello UI is designed to streamline the authentication process. Users will notice new iconography and visual changes that make switching between authentication options more intuitive. Whether you’re logging into your device or using passkeys for websites and apps, the experience is now more seamless and user-friendly.
Enhanced Passkey Integration
One of the standout features of this update is the improved passkey integration.
New passkey process in testing on Windows 11
Previously, using passkeys from a mobile device involved scanning QR codes and navigating an outdated UI. The new system simplifies this process, allowing for quicker and more secure authentication. Additionally, Microsoft has also introduced a new API for third-party password and passkey managers, enabling developers to integrate directly with the Windows Hello experience.
Future-Proofing Authentication
This update is not just about aesthetics; it’s about future-proofing authentication on Windows 11.
By supporting passkeys from mobile devices and enabling synchronization with third-party apps, Microsoft is ensuring that users have a secure and efficient way to manage their credentials and also allows them to be seemlessly and securely added to your Microsoft Account.
We redesigned Windows security credential user experiences for passkey creating a cleaner experience that supports secured and quick authentication.. Users will now be able to switch between authentication options and select passkey / devices more intuitively.
Currently available to Windows Insiders in the beta channel, and will hopefully hit testers on the other Insider channels soon. This new Windows Hello experience is expected to roll out to all Windows 11 users in the coming months.
Are you looking forward to seeing new Windows Hello UI?
Microsoft Teams has long been a cornerstone for collaboration, and now, with its new chat and channels experience, it’s set to transform how we connect and collaborate even further, makimg it easier to stay in the flow and work with multiple chats and teams channels.
Video (c) Microsoft
Streamlined Communication for Enhanced Productivity
The redesigned interface prioritises ease of use, allowing users to effortlessly triage conversations and stay on top of their most important communications. Whether managing projects, coordinating with teams, or engaging in spontaneous brainstorming sessions, the new experience (which has been in testing for some time) has been designed to ensure that every interaction is seamless and impactful.
Key Features and Enhancements
Intuitive Design: The new layout is simple by default, yet powerful on demand. It’s designed to help users quickly find and respond to messages, reducing the time spent navigating through conversations.
New chat design interface in Teams
The @Mention View: This view in chat gathers all messages directed at you into a single interactive list, making it easier to prioritise and respond to important communications.
The new @ mention view in Teams Chat
Why these changes Matter
These updates are not just about aesthetics; they are about creating a more dynamic and intuitive user experience. By simplifying the interface and enhancing key functionalities, Microsoft Teams aims to boost productivity and ensure that users can collaborate more efficiently and effectively.
New Drag and drop chat and channels in Teams desktop and mobile apps.
User education and readiness
To support users and support staff on the adoption of these new features, Microsoft has provided a wealth of resources, including detailed blogs, instructional videos, and a dedicated microsite on the Microsoft Adoption Center.
These resources are designed to help IT leaders, IT pros, and end users understand and leverage the new capabilities to their fullest potential.
Microsoft is also hosting a live Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) session on November 12, 2024, where users can see the new features in action and get their questions answered by Teams product experts.
Jeff Tepers’ blog goes into more detail, highlighting the new experience and how it will improve user experience and efficiency Jeff calls it “simple by default, powerful on demand.”
As technology advances, the distinction between AI-PCs and Copilot+ PCs becomes increasingly important. Both types of devices leverage dedicated AI chip sets to enhance the user experience. They support new and upcoming software features. These devices prepare us for the continual wave of AI innovation. Under the name, what are the differences between the specifications and ability of these two types of “next generation” devices?
This blog aims to summarize the similarities and differences between the AI-PC, as dubbed by Intel. It also discusses the Copilot + range of PCs powered by Snapdragon ARM based chip sets.
The AI-PC
AI-PCs, like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6, are powered by Intel chipsets and are the first of their next generation of personal computers designed to handle complex AI tasks efficiently. These PCs are equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors which also include a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which accelerates AI and machine learning workloads directly on the device, providing up to 10 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) of AI performance.
This means faster performance for tasks like real-time language translation, image creation, and enhanced multimedia experiences such as object removal, blur and audio isolation without relying heavily on cloud services or throttling the PCs CPU.
For the average user, this translates to a smoother, more responsive computing experience with smarter features. For IT professionals, it means robust performance for data-intensive applications and improved security through local processing and devices which will perform in a more unified way without “subtle” tasks like back-ground blur in video calls, hammering the CPU or consuming more internet bandwidth.
The Copilot + PC
Copilot+ PCs represent the pinnacle of AI-enhanced computing, designed to deliver unparalleled performance and support for AI-infused applications and extensions. These PCs are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Series processors. They feature a turbocharged Neural Processing Uni (NPU). This NPU is capable of performing over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This advanced hardware allows real-time AI functionalities. These include language translation, image generation, and intelligent task management directly on the device. For the average user, this means a seamless, responsive experience with smarter, more intuitive features. For IT pro’s Copilot+ PCs provide more robust performance for data-intensive and AI applications. They enhance security through local processing.
This can also reduce reliance on cloud services with the ability run “some” AI workloads locally depending on what has been coded of course by the software vendor. Examples of this might be background blur which as trivial as it may sound it network and compute intensive and can be performed on an NPU far better and with far less compute power.. This combination of powerful hardware and specialized software makes Copilot+ PCs a significant change in both personal and professional settings.
Copilot+ PCs, on the other hand, take this AI integration a step further. Some examples are the recently released Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 devices from Microsoft. There are also devices from all other major manufacturers. These devices feature powerful and dedicated NPUs. They also come with Windows 11 – Copilot “exclusive” software and services enabled. These devices need Copilot+PCs to use them.
Interactions like “click-to-do” and Microsoft’s Recall leverage the advanced NPU’s capabilities. They provide enhanced AI features directly on the device. These interactions reduce CPU and GPU workloads. They allow local AI compute, which will in the long term support local language models.
Despite the differences, both AI-PCs and Copilot+ PCs bring enhanced performance for handling AI workloads. These devices provide a more integrated and advanced AI experience, thanks to the combination of powerful hardware and specialised software. At the time of writing the Copilot+ PC range deliver more AI-grunt than AI-PCs. However, the Intel-based AI-PCs will likely be more adopted by large enterprise organisations. These organisations still need to run older legacy applications. These applications have not yet been compiled to run on Windows on Arm (WoA). WoA is needed for Copilot+ PCs which are built on ARM chipsets and not Intel.
Spotting the Difference
The subtle differences between AI PCs and Copilot+ PCs. As endpoint technology continues to evolve, the gaps will most likely close. The 2025 edition of these technologies will continue to evolve. There is also new AI “optimised” PCs from AMD but I have not reviewed these here.
The main way to spot a Copilot+ PC or AI-PC vs an older generation device is the presence of a dedicated “Copilot key”.
The list below highlights the key things found on Copilot + PCs
AI Integration: Copilot+ PCs (currently) offer a more integrated AI experience. They include specialised software and features designed to enhance productivity. On the other hand, AI-PCs provide general AI capabilities without the specialized software. Copilot+ PCs are needed to run new Windows features like recall and Click-To-Do.
Dedicated AI Key: Copilot+ PCs include a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to AI-powered assistance. This key is not available in “some” AI-PCs. Older generation PCs also lack this feature.
Connectivity: Some Copilot+ PCs feature advanced connectivity options. These options include 5G, which is not typically found in AI-PCs or older generation devices.
Exclusive Software Features: Copilot+ PCs come with enhanced productivity tools like Recall and Click-To-Do. They also include other third-party features from Adobe, for example.
Conclusion
These new generation of AI-PCs and Copilot+ PCs bring more than just an annual chip set refresh. They are the ennoblement for the current and next wave of creativity. They drive productivity and innovation with the increasing number of AI-powered or AI-enhanced applications.
As always, Surface sets the standard – with their innovative anti reflective and HDR display technology, elegant and sleek design, sustainable and repairable design and unique features like the versatile kickstand along with fluidity of the Slim Pen 2 on Surface Pro, they empower users to achieve more and create without limits.
Using Cloud PCs, like Windows 365, could be a strategic move as you plan and migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11 (which you need to do by October 14th, 2025, if you want to avoid paying for Extended Support Updates (ESU).
Here I discuss a use of Windows 365 as a way to delay the migration to Windows 11, whilst also. Enhancing the migration readienaa, testing and user experience in the Shift to Windows 11 as well as, of course the other benefits that Cloud technology can bring to businesses of all sizes, geographies and sectors.
Why Windows 365?
Windows 365 is a cloud-based service that brings the power and security of a Windows operating system to any device including mobile devices and some modern smart TVs.
Windows 365 streams a full (dedicated) Windows desktop from the cloud, providing highest levels of security, application compatibility and bandwidth optimisation.
It allows users to access their desktop and personalised settings, apps, and data from anywhere with an internet connection and without the need for VPN (though access over VPN or secure remote access is supported).
Image (c) Microsoft
This flexibility makes it an alternative choice for using legacy or older hardware. It is also ideal for bring your own device scenarios and contractors.
Additionally, it supports testing and dual running different operating systems. Benefits around flexibility and accessibility are huge for both users and IT.
Flexibility and Accessibility
Device Independence: Windows 365 lets users access your Windows environment from any device. This includes a PC, tablet, smartphone, and even some smart TVs. This means helps support you can continue using older hardware while still benefiting from the latest Windows 11 features. BYOPC (Bring Your Own PC) is also a key use case.
SecureRemote Work Enablement: Windows 365, helps support hybrid and remote work models. Employees can access their Cloud PCs from anywhere, ensuring productivity and continuity and secure remote access which levergage key Microsoft zero trust security principles include password less, MFA and risk based conditional access.
Management is also super simple with Cloud PC with everything managed from Intune. This includes.
Simplified Management and deployment.
Centralised Management: Windows 365 integrates with Microsoft’s Endpoint Management service (Intune). IT administrators can manage all devices and Cloud PCs from a single console. This simplifies updates, security policies, and compliance management. Cloud PCs can also leverage update technologies such as Windows AutoPatch. For more complex deployments or mixed AVD, Citrix and Windows365 you can also use third party tools such as Nerdio.
Fast Onboarding: Employees (new and existing) can be onboarded quickly by provisioning Cloud PCs within minutes. This reduces the time and effort needed to set up new devices. They can also be accessed across multiple devices for maximum flexibility and agility…
Seamless OS Switching – Windows 365 includes Windows 365 Switch. This feature allows users to easily switch between a local PC and a Cloud PC. Users can be assigned multiple Cloud PCs, for example Windows 10 and Windows 11. This setup is great for testing and learning a new OS like Windows 11.
As you’d imagine, Security is paramount and there’s no shortage of enhanced security for Cloud PCs.
Enhanced Security
Built-in Security Features: Windows 365 includes advanced security features like multi-factor authentication, conditional access, password-less authentication and advanced data encryption. These features help protect sensitive information and reduce the risk of security breaches.
Always Up to Date: Cloud PCs are automatically updated with the latest security patches and updates. This ensures that your systems are always protected against the latest threats. Cloud PCs also support full cloud management technologies include Auto Pilot and Windows Auto Patch.
What about pricing… after all, Cloud PCs require a license subscription to use with pricing for Windows 365 varying based on the specification of the Cloud PC needed.
Costs efficiencies and advoidance
Reduced Hardware Costs: Leverage Windows 365 can help can extend the life of existing hardware (for example hardware that cannot run Windows 11) and reduce the need for frequent hardware upgrades since they can be upgraded with just a change of license key!
Frontline worker efficiencies. Windows 365 Frontline provides the same feature stack and benefits of Windows 365 with the added flexibility to provide Cloud PCs for up to three users with the purchase of a single Windows 365 license, making it ideal for frontline and shift workers as well as seasonal staff.
Scalable and Upgradable: Windows 365 offers flexible subscription plans. These plans can be scaled up or down based on your organization’s needs. This enables businesses to manage costs more effectively. You can choose the right sized Cloud PC for the right task and the right user.
Device Management: Since there is no physical device to manage, management of devices is available remotely around the globe with employee devices being able to be provisioned, updated and recovered 100% remotely.
Support for Windows 10 Extended Security updates are also included with the Windows 365 license which not only helps extend the life of older (but perfectly working devices) and is also great to sustainability!
Smooth Migration: Migrating to Windows 365 can be straightforward. Tools and support are available. They help transfer user profiles, documents, and settings seamlessly.
Conclusion
Windows 365 can not only be a physical device alternative for any organisation, but also be used to help ensure a smooth transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Windows 365 can help organisations maintain productivity. It enhances security and breathes more life into legacy or older hardware.
It also supports Windows 10 Operating Systems, with Windows 10 Extended Security Updates included at no additional cost helping to extend the life of older devices that can’t run Windows 11 for up to another three years!
Most of the time, security and annual and semi annual feature updates in Windows are built on the same core OS platform. This means that the changes and new features in these updates are / updated on top of that particular OS build.
This is not the case with the latest Windows 11 24H2 Update which is starting to roll out now.
Why is the Windows 11 24H2 update different?
Unlike previous updates to Windows 11, Windows 11 24H2 is delivered as an update to existing devices with Windows 11 installed. This update is essentially a whole new version of Windows and yes, some have dubbed it Windows 12 – because it is, in all purposes a new OS version that is installed over (OS Swap) on the top of the existing OS – making it a new version.
This approach is the same as when Windows 11 was released back in 2021 and was (of course) an OS upgrade on-top of Windows 10. Many saw Windows 11 as “just a UI refresh.” But it was actually a totally new build of Windows. It had major architectural and security changes throughout the OS. Updates like Windows 11 version 22H2 and version 23H2 introduced many new features, but these updates were fundamentally built on the same underlying Windows 11 OS platform.
Windows 24H2 is a new OS
Windows 11 24H2 update is built on a totally new platform (codenamed Germanium) which brings fundamental under-the-hood changes to the core of the Windows 11 Operating System. Many of these updates and changes will not be obvious or event visible to a typical user, but many of them are fundamental changes. For example, one significant improvement with this release is much better optimisation for ARM based devices such as the new Snapdragon Powered Copilot+ PC devices like the Surface Laptop 7.
This is also why this update launched preinstalled on Snapdragon X series PCs. The feature set wasn’t completely finished when they launched, but the code base was needed to take advantage of the new features which are now rolling out.
The question asked by many is – “Is Windows 11 24H2 really Windows 12 then“?
So why isn’t it called Windows 12?
Good question. Well, whilst this is a major update under the hood the UI does look the same as before, and in terms of new features for existing PCs, many of the new things are subtle and reflective of the ongoing tweaks and changes such as finally moving those legacy “Control Panel” updates to Settings. As such there is nothing in 24H2 that really says “hey – this is a brand-new operating system” – and that’s a good thing I think (right now anyway).
In the past, we typically received a “new version” of Windows release every three or so years, and as such it was possible to “upgrade” from one to the next if you were willing to buy a new Windows license (or a new device with a new license).
Of course, most people did not want to do that, which meant that most of us (consumers anyway), only got a new OS update when they bought a new PC/Laptop – which included the latest license you needed. for the “current OS”. That’s how Windows upgrades worked for most people anyway!
Windows 11 version 24H2, it is basically the same thing. Whilst this update is available for existing PCs (it’s also free) there’s very little that is new and shiny for existing devices.
All the big news and new features are part of the new generation of devices – the Copilot+ PCs and AI PCs – and most of those new AI features will only work (be activated) on these new devices – since they need a PC with a chipset that includes an NPU with over 40TOPS of performance – this is basically new devices launched after June 18, 2024 (or even later, if you want to get an AI PC based on the AMD or Intel PC).
So back to the point, yes Copilot+ and AI PCs are essentially Windows 12 with all the features it introduces but still under then branding (as the UI has not changed) as Windows 11.
What does a Copilot+ PC and Windows 11 24H2 Bring then?
Right now, what Copilot+ devices do add some cool new AI features which I would say currently appeal to tech enthusiasts and those that run AI workloads (or plan too). You do get live captions with real-time translation in any app, have the ability to use new AI features in apps like Paint using a “cached” LLM on the device and new you’ll soon get features like Recall, Click-To-Do, and generative fill which are also huge new features that are all exclusive to those new Copilot+ and AI PCs devices.
Will there be a Windows 12?
We don’t know to be honest – not yet anyway. It is clear to me that Microsoft are working to ensure they don’t abandon or upset their existing users and create confusion.
With Windows 10 going end of support in October 2025 (that’s a year from now), creating a Windows 12 brand will likely up-set many businesses that are in a transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
This version of Windows 11, will include a whole load of features that will be exclusive to the newer AI PC hardware such as the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11. This still creates an incentive for people to buy new PC with shiny features (that makes PC companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft happy) whilst still ensuring the Windows 11 OS is modern and fresh. Existing devices can still upgrade to Windows 24H2, but they won’t get these new AI features (you need that NPU remember).
Will Microsoft ever unveil plans to release a formal Windows 12? I really don’t know at the moment. I think a new “branded” version will come at some point in the next couple of years. They may just call it Windows – something we thought Microsoft were going to do when Windows 10 was released.
What do you think – should Windows just be called Windows 25H1 for example, or do we prefer a version number. I’m a Windows / Surface MVP and I don’t know any more than you right now (of course if I did, I couldn’t tell you – but I honestly do not know!)
The Webex One 24 opening keynote was a showcase of Cisco’s commitment to revolutionising the way organisations collaborate and connect. It highlighted several new announcements, renewed partnerships and AI innovation across their portfolio which will continue to innovate the “future of work”.
This blog summarises my key highlights from Cisco’s fifth annual Webex One event. This year’s theme focussed on the transformative power of AI and human connection. Senior Cisco execs, including Aruna Ravichandran and Jeetu Patel, opened by discussing the latest AI innovations and their impact on customer and employee experiences and of course used the event to showcase new technologies and products from Cisco as well as new and extended partnerships with key vendors including Apple and Microsoft.
Cisco emphasised the integration of AI into (all) their products, the importance of secure and smart workplaces, and the future of seamless collaboration. They also introduced new technologies like the autonomous Webex AI agent and Cisco spatial meetings for Apple Vision Pro, showcasing their commitment to enhancing productivity and connectivity.
“Don’t worry about AI taking away your jobs, but worry about people who use AI effectively” | Jitu Patel
Aruna Ravichandran, Cisco’s Senior Vice President emphasised the importance of human connection and creativity in the transformative world of AI, highlighting the event’s focus on groundbreaking AI innovations and customer experience.
Jeetu Patel, Cisco’s Executive Vice President, talked about the “seismic shift in AI“, noting that while AI has brought significant momentum and pockets of impactful change, for the most, our lives have not yet materially changed. He said that he sees a dramatic change in the next decade, emphasizing the potential of agent-based technologies to redefine and reshape jobs and workflows fundamentally.
Let’s look at a few of these in more detail.
Cisco’s AI Strategy
Cisco’s AI strategy is focussed on integrating AI natively into their products, providing AI infrastructure, and ensuring AI security. Jeetu Patel talked passionately about the importance of AI-ready data centers, modern networks and AI aware security as well as what he called “future-proof workplaces”, and resilience in operations, driven by AI and data. Cisco unveiled new AI-driven features across their Webex collaboration suite, designed to make virtual meetings more intuitive and productive. These enhancements included real-time language translation, advanced noise cancellation, and AI-powered meeting summaries, ensuring that every participant can stay engaged and informed as well as work with Apple and Microsoft integration and connectivity.
Building Future Proofed Workspaces
Cisco talked about the importance of seamless integration across various platforms. They said they are introducing new APIs and partnerships that will better enable Webex and their meeting spaces technologies to integrate more effortlessly with other tools and applications, providing a unified and streamlined user experience, including with Microsoft Teams. Cisco aims to continue to raise the standard of what the workplace with secure campus and branch networking, smart building technology, workplace security, and seamless collaboration should look like something they see themselves having a unique industry advantage of.
“Our goal is to make every meeting as productive and engaging as possible, no matter where you are in the world.” | Jeetu Patel | Cisco VP
Cisco said the focus is on creating productive, automated, and secure environments for employees to work from anywhere. Cisco also showcases its advancements in spatial meetings, emphasizing the importance of human connection in AI-driven interactions – with a differentiated focus on creating immersive and engaging meeting experiences that feel as intimate and effective as in-person interactions.
Autonomous Agents in Webex Contact Centre
Cisco also introduced their upcoming autonomous Webex AI agent, designed to enhance self-service in contact centers. This AI agent combines conversational intelligence with generative AI and integrates with back-office systems to deliver personalized outcomes, reducing the need for human agents. The demo showed some advanced autonomous (AI Agents) enhancing customer self-service – combining conversational AI with generative AI along with integrates with back-office systems and processes like HR and Finance.
Extended Partnerships
Cisco discussed extended partnerships with both Apple and Microsoft, emphasizing their collaborative efforts to enhance technology and user experience and to meet customers where they are. These partnerships emphasize Cisco’s commitment to interoperability and enhancing user experiences across different (in some cases, competitive) platforms.
Cisco said that their Cisco Room devices for Microsoft Teams have become the fastest-growing Microsoft Teams Room solution in the world with over 3,000 customers now leveraging Cisco technology to power their Microsoft Teams investment.
Cisco’s long-term relationship with Apple was discussed and references made to Cisco technology being integral to Apple’s product development. The keynote highlighted the collaboration between the two including the development of the Apple Vision Pro, which integrates Cisco’s Webex for immersive 3D meetings
An AI powered Sustainable Future
High on the agenda was Cisco’s commitment to sustainability which was a key theme through the keynote. Cisco introduced new features aimed at reducing the environmental impact of virtual meetings, such as energy-efficient data centres and tools to measure and offset carbon footprints.
Did you attend Webex One or watch it remotely, what did you find of interest and what did you hope you’d see but didn’t?
