Phi Silica SLM coming to Windows Runtime and Copilot PCs

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.


Microsoft’s Recall hits preview on Qualcomm, Intel and AMD AI and Copilot+ PCs

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.


What is Recall?

Recall was the keynote Windows feature announced when Microsoft unleashed the Copilot+ PC  when they were released in September this year.

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.


What do you think of Recall and Click-to-Do?

Recall “Recalled” Again: Microsoft’s Copilot+PC Flagship Feature Faces Further Delays

Recall Recalled again feature image

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 verge covered this in an exclusive interview

Wider AI privacy concerns

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…

AI-PCs vs Copilot+ PCs: Understanding the Difference

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.

These devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series chips, which offer at least 45 TOPS of AI performance. This provides advanced functionalities such as real-time language translation and intelligent task management. It also enables more efficient multitasking. All of these features are included in the Windows 11 24H2 update.

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.

Windows 11 24H2 Update will bring Quality, Performance, and AI updates

Image showing words Windows 11 24H2 Update

As we head into September, Microsoft is preparing to start the rollout of their annual Windows 11 feature update, this time focusing on the underlying platform and surface-level quality-of-life improvements and updates as well as some major updates to Windows on Arm (WoA). Windows 11 24H2 (also known as the 2024 Update) is a huge update in fact, including everything from performance increases across the board, UX changes and new AI (of course) features.

The Windows 11 2024 Update is packed with OS improvements and new features across the board, with special attention given to those running an ARM-based device this time around.

This update is a much bigger release than last years’ 2023 H2 update, due mainly to a vast number of underlying platform enhancements. There are improvements to Windows Update process, an updated and faster x86 emulation layer for Arm PCs (such as Copilot Plus PCs), and new AI features that will take advantage of newer devices which have a dedicated NPU (neural processing unit.).

On Copilot+ PCs, this Windows 11 release is also the first include features exclusive to this new category of Windows devices. This means if you don’t yet have a Copilot+ PC, then you miss out on certain features when upgrading to version 24H2, such as the controversial “Windows Recall” AI feature.

Windows 11 24H2 also promised to be much better for gamers, since it includes many new capabilities that utilise the high-performance hardware of Copilot+ PCs and new software optimisations. An example of innovation is the new emulation engine, Prism. It operates seamlessly, converting x86 or x64 code to Arm64 instructions when you launch an x86 or x64 application on an Arm-based Windows 11 device, all without requiring extra effort from developers.

Why is this important? Well, given that many of today’s games are written for x86 or x64, Prism unlocks a large back log of games that work great on Arm under emulation. While Windows on Arm has had emulation in the past, the performance improvements of Prism, along with automatic super resolution and the new Snapdragon® X Series processors together emerge as a game-changer.

So here is a summary of the key changes and updates you can expect in the Windows 24H2 update. Features in Bold are just for Copilot+ PCs.

Desktop and start menu

  • Phone Link is now integrated with the Start menu
  • Taskbar system tray layout has been further simplified
  • Quick Settings has been rebuilt to be faster and more customisable
  • Windows Spotlight image is now the default wallpaper setting
  • The Taskbar app preview thumbnails now have an animation
  • It’s now possible to set to HDR images as a desktop wallpaper

File menu

  • The File Explorer home tab now includes updated layout with shared documents.
  • Just like in Edge, you can now duplicate tabs by right clicking the tab.
  • The context menu layout has been updated with better labelling making it easier to use.
  • Added ability to create .7z and .TAR archive formats as well as ZIP files without the need for third party apps.
  • If you use Phone Link, you can view your Android phone’s file system directly in File Explorer

Native Apps

  • The new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contact is now included in the update (this will replace the mail and calendar app).
  • Photos now includes AI-enhanced generative erase and background editing.
  • The Copilot applet is now a standalone web app – meaning it can be resized and moved around like any other app.
  • Photos can now generate AI images based on user criteria (Copilot+ PC)
  • A new Recall app uses AI to capture everything you do and makes finding things easier (Copilot+ PC).
  • Paint now has built-in generative AI capabilities based on user drawn sketch (Copilot+ PC)

Settings and other stuff

  • Windows Update now supports checkpoints and hot patching for faster and less obtrusive updates.
  • New PRISM emulation layer makes x86 emulated apps run up to 2x faster and smoother on Arm meaning Arm-based devices.
  • New Voice Clarity feature uses AI to remove background noise picked up by your microphone in supported apps such as Teams.
  • Power settings for plugged/unplugged state can now be configured simultaneously just they could previously in “control panel”
  • Energy Saver mode replaces “battery saver” and now applies to laptops and desktop devices.
  • Devices with the new “Wi-Fi 7” hardware is now supported.
  • AutoSR uses AI to enhances the framerate and quality of games (Copilot+ PC)
  • Live Captions translate languages into English in real-time locally (Copilot+ PC).
  • Advanced Windows Studio Effects enhance your webcam with filters (Copilot+ PC) and some older ARM based PCs such as Surface Pro 9 5G.

Consumer and Gaming

  • Updates to x86/x64 emulation on Copilot+PCs and other ARM based devices brings significant (up to 2x) performance updates for games running under emulation – needed for games and apps that are not yet “native” ARM.

Availability and Rollout

The Windows 11 2024 Update process is rather unique in its rollout and availability this time round. Unlike previous versions of Windows 11, this release is rolling out in two distinct waves. Wave one is has essentially already shipped, but only on new Copilot+ PCs that launched on June 18. If you recently purchased a new Copilot+ PC running the Snapdragon X chipsets then you are already running Windows 11 version 24H2.

For the rest of the world, Windows 11 24H2 for “non-Copilot+ PCs” is expected to begin rolling out gradually from late September, which is when Windows 11 feature updates normally begin rolling out to users.

Windows Insiders get it earlier…

If you want to try out the Windows 11 2024 Update ahead of general availability on non-Copilot+ PCs, you can do so today by joining the Windows Insider Programme.

Copilot+ PCs are now available – What you need to know.

Last month, Microsoft announced the next generation of AI powered PCs from Microsoft and many other OEMs including Acer and Lenovo which leverage the latest Snapdragon ARM chipsets from Qualcomm. I covered this on a previous post here....

Yesterday (June 18th 2024), Microsoft’s own devices (the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11) were officially available today to buy and any pre-orders were shipped to customers worldwide 🙂

Microsoft describes Copilot+ PCs as the “most intelligent” Windows PCs ever created. These new processors are capable of performing over 40 trillion operations per second. These PCs also offer long long long battery life and give access to advanced AI tools.

These latest Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft are sleek, lightweight, and elegantly designed to enhance productivity They ship with dedicated NPUs (for processing AI workloads on-chip) and have the longest battery life of any Surface ever.

Microsoft say that the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are Copilot+ PCs, are the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs on the market. They are available in four colour options and start at $999 Estimated Retail Price (ERP) USD on Microsoft.com or at a Microsoft Experience Center (aka store).

What is a Copilot+PCs?

Copilot+ PCs represent a new category of Windows 11 PCs, equipped with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), which is a specialised type of processor designed for AI-intensive tasks such as real-time translations and image generation, capable of executing over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS).

Are Copilot+PC only available from Microsoft?

No. Copilot+PCs are a new generation of PC devices which combined Windows on ARM (WoA) technology, Snagdragon powered chipsets and new updates and features built into Windows.

Other manufacturers are also making Copilot+PCs include (but not limited to).

Are Copilot+PCs for Consumers or for Business?

Copilot+PCs are designed for personal, small business and commercial/enterprise. Devices for Business such as the Surface for Business Range will start shipping in September 2024. More details can be found here.

What can Copilot+PCs do that others cannot?

Microsoft refers to new Copilot+ PC experiences which will be baked in to the next versions of Windows 11 and are advanced AI features unique to Copilot+ PCs that accelerate your productivity and creativity. This will include new AI features such as Recall, Cocreator in Paint, Windows Studio Effects, automatic super resolution and Live Captions.There are many more coming and expect to see new AI powered experiences such as offline Copilot coming to Copilot+PC devices in the future. These features require powerful neural processing units (NPUs) –so will be exclusive to the Copilot+ PC class of devices.

One super cool feature to call out for gamers is the new Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) feature which integrates smoothly with Windows, automatically boosting the frame rates of existing games in real time and delivering detailed visuals. This feature is said to surpasses the capabilities of standalone PC hardware. Initially, Auto SR will be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs that have a Qualcomm Snapdragon® X Series processor and will support a select list of games available at a third-party open-source site, which Microsoft has provided compatibility data for.

Do I need a special version of Windows 11?

No – all new Copilot+ PCs running a Snapdragon® X Series processor will have Copilot+ PC experiences pre-installed. Microsoft will be continuing to update and enhance the Copilot+ PC experiences, so there will be new Windows Updates coming which will enable new features delivered as part of the usual Windows Update process. Only Copilot+PCs will get the new AI features.

What about devices with the latest AI chips from Intel and AMD ?

Microsoft are partnering with Intel and AMD as well to bring Copilot+ PC experiences to PCs with their processors in the future.


Microsoft also have a real good FAQ section on their website about Copilot+PCs.

“Windows Recall” feature postponed days ahead of launch

Windows Recall is (was) a new AI powered feature, exclusive for Copilot+PCs that can capture snapshots of your screen every few seconds allowing the user to essentially rewind back to a point in time to back track on work, application state and documents being worked on,

Recall overview (Microsoft)

Announced as the headline feature for the new generation of Copilot+PCs, this new flagship Windows Recall will now arrive at a later date, with a wider public  preview coming soon for Windows Insiders.

There has been many questions, concerns and clarity demanded from the public and tech pros about this new feature since it was announced in May, with concerns over whether Microsoft had “gone too far” in finding a use for AI and the new NPU powered Copilot+PCs. The fact this has not been through the usual process of testing my Microsoft’s loyal Windows Insider testing community was also surprising for such a huge new feature.

The first of the new Copilot+PCs are launching next week (June 18th), and in an expected update have said that their headlining “Windows Recall” feature will not be shipped at launch and  now arrive a few weeks later in an update.

Is Windows Recall too much?

Recall was heavily criticised after sourced said that recall stored it’s Recall  data in an unencrypted state, raising huge concerns among IT experts, users and anti-Windows fans!

Last week, Microsoft released a blog and announcement to try to alleviate these concerns by reassuring people that Windows Recall would encrypt data and require the user to be physically present at the device (via multi factor authentication) to access recall. They were clear however, that not only was Recall safe but they it would ship next week with the arrival of the Copilot+PCs.

The Cisilion Fireside Chat suspected so much.

Just this week, I hosted a fireside chat, and we discussed the view of Recall from a security and privacy violation.

There’s a link to the episode here if you’d like to hear the views of a number of IT leaders…but the view of my customer panel ahead of (the now postponed) launch include:

We’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to protect our data and here we are Tada you can now just have a look at what Kim was sharing three minutes ago.” [link]

“It undermines years and years and years of work and unless they can work out a way there’s no way I’m letting this anywhere near my en.” [00:08:25][Link]

“You are the attack surface… we have to remind the the owners of the business that ultimately it’s their heads on the Block if things go wrong.” [00:45:32]

In short, our panel, beleived that Recall might face significant challenges before its implementation, possibly leading to its postponement or modification, especially in enterprise environments. They highlight the need for clear communication, education, and possibly policy changes to address the concerns raised – looks like this is exactly what happened.

Microsoft committed to trust and privacy but is it enough?

Just earlier this week, Microsoft had said that all images are encrypted, stored and analyzed locally, using on-device AI capabilities to understand their context. When logged into your Copilot+ PC, you can easily retrace your steps visually using Recall to find things from apps, websites, images, and documents that you’ve seen, operating like your own virtual and completely private “photographic memory.” You are always in control of what’s saved. You can disable saving snapshots, pause temporarily, filter applications and delete your snapshots at any time.

The question still on people minds is is this enough, how does this work if viewing content other people are sharing on screen when Recall is being used and what happens if a device is compromised or user subject to ransomware or phishing attack and get access to this device…

Postponed not cancelled?

Perhaps to ensure the backlash over recall doesn’t impact Copilot+PC sales, these new devices will not ship with Recall initially. Microsoft have said that Windows Recall will be added in a future Windows update, but has not given a timeframe for when this will be. This will give their huge Windows Insider Community time to test this with Microsoft and provide the much needed feedback, tuning controls and more.

The updated Microsoft blog post states the following:

Recall will now shift from a preview experience broadly available for Copilot+ PCs on June 18, 2024, to a preview available first in the Windows Insider Program (WIP) in the coming weeks. Following receiving feedback on Recall from our Windows Insider Community, as we typically do, we plan to make Recall (preview) available for all Copilot+ PCs coming soon

Copilot+PCs still get loads of new AI Goodness.

Of course, Recall wasn’t the only AI infused feature that Copilot+PCs will include, and the other rest of the AI features that Microsoft showcased will still be available to use. These include live captions and translations across all apps, new Windows Studio Effects for meetings and video, new. Image creation and generation tools across the stock Windows Apps including paint and photos.

Time will tell

Time and testing wil tell whether this feature gets simply delayed, hugely altered or scrapped all together. What do you think?


Microsoft June 13 2024 Blog Post: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2024/06/07/update-on-the-recall-preview-feature-for-copilot-pcs/

New Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 | Copilot+PCs

Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7

After unveiling the next generation of Windows and Windows hardware (the PC), Microsoft also launched (available to order today), the first of their flagship Copilot+ PCs – the new Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 – both powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite and Snapdragon X Plus Chipsets.

Surface Pro and Surface Laptop start from £1049 and are available on pre-order today!

Key themes are improved environmentals (more than 72% recycled components), repairability, ARM (Qualcomm Snapdragon powered), upgraded screens and cameras.

New Surface Laptop

The latest Surface Laptop offers a modern design with ultra-thin bezels, a vibrant touchscreen, an AI-powered camera, superior audio quality, and a new haptic touchpad. This comes in both 13.8” or 15” screen options and are available in four different colours – Platinum, Black, Dune and Sapphire .

Surface Laptop 15″ version provides up to 22 hours of video playback, while the 13.8” version offers around 20 hours – a staggering increase over previous iterations of the device making them perfect for hybrid, remote work and education. These both deliver exceptional performance and cutting-edge AI features.

Microsoft say it is 86% faster than Surface Laptop 5 and can power up to three external 4K monitors. As a Copilot+PC it’s new NPU delivers a staggering 45 TOPS NPU unlocks new AI experiences and delivers industry-leading performance for seamless productivity. It includes a large variety of ports and features Wi-Fi 7 technology. .

This has been redesigned from the inside out and is sleeker than ever before. It also has a brand new PixelSense touchscreen display with razor-thin bezels and 120Hz refresh rate, HDR technology, Dolby Vision IQ™vii and Adaptive colour technology which adapts perfectly to light for indoor or outdoor use. This generation, while including super responsive multi-touch, does not support use of Surface Pen and neither will Surface Laptop moving forward.

New Surface Pro

The newest Surface Pro builds on what has always been great with Surface, providing a versatile 2-in-1 laptop device redesigned for increased speed and longer battery life and to enable groundbreaking AI capabilities.

Powered by Snapdragon® X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors, Microsoft say these deliver performance that is 90% faster than Surface Pro 9. They support up to three external 4K displays, with two USB 4 ports, and a new 13” display (with optional OLED with HDR technology). Surface Pro comes with Wi-Fi 7 and optional 5G to keep you connected where ever you are.

Camera’s get an upgrade too, with ultra-wide, quad-HD front-facing camera – the best Surface camera ever. This makes the new Windows 11 AI-powered Windows Studio Effects like Automatic Framing, keep you in focus, even as you move around your space. The upgraded 10MP Ultra HD rear-facing autofocus camera also supports 4K video.

The new innovative Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, usable both attached and detached, offers improved stability, integrated storage and charging for the Surface Slim Pen. It also has a quiet haptic touch pad. Microsoft say that Surface Slim Pen also gets better – ink  flows which feels more natural with Zero Force inking, ultra-precise shading, 4,096 points of pressure sensitivity and a built-in haptic engine for a more natural writing experience… These are also backward compatible with previous Surface Pro models!

The Surface Pro incorporates a higher percentage of recycled materials compared to the Surface Pro 9, featuring 72% recycled content within its enclosure. It is also designed to be serviceable, with an increased number of replaceable components, such as the motherboard, battery, and cameras, among others..


It’s great to see Microsoft offering their customers more choice in this new realm of AI PCs with both Intel and Qualcomm options.

What do you think about new line up?

Copilot+PC – Fastest, most AI-ready Windows PCs ever built.

Today (20th May 2024), Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled a new category of PC that features the latest generative AI tools built directly into Windows and powered by the latest generation of AI computing hardware. Microsoft say this is “the most significant change to the Window platform in decades“.

Microsoft said this entirely new class of Windows PC is engineered to unleash the power of distributed AI in conjunction with the latest generation of AI-Powered chip sets from Qualcomm which bring new AI hardware which will power these new AI features which will be “part of” the Windows OS.

Microsoft call this new category ‘Copilot Plus’… which will see the creation of the latest, fastest, most AI-ready Windows PCs ever built. Copilot+ PCs represent a significant advancement in computing, offering powerful performance and pioneering AI capabilities. Equipped with Snapdragon® X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors, these PCs are engineered to provide peak processing efficiency and swift response times.

Copilot+ PCs can run AI workloads up to 20x faster and 100x more efficiently than traditional PCs.

Microsoft have also announced today, their first Copilot+ PCs, in both the new Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 – both powered by these new AI Chipsets. They are also working with Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung who will also be bringing their Copilot+ PCs to market.

Here’s the Sizzle Video.

Copilot+PC – Microsoft (c)

As Microsoft took to the stage in front of the world’s tech press, they said that they estimate more than fifty million “AI PCs” will be sold over the next 12 months, given the appetite for devices powered by ChatGPT-style technology.

“…more than 50 million AI PCs will be sold over the next 12 months”

Satya Nadella | Microsoft.

The Copilot+ PC is here

The concept of Copilot+ PC is not merely to offer a handful of AI features. Instead, it is about having a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) on a Copilot+ PC that continuously runs multiple language models in the background of Windows 11. These models will monitor all your activities on your PC to provide contextual information whenever you need to prompt Copilot effectively. Microsoft refers to this functionality as Recall, describing it as a “sensor for AI.”

Satya Nadella announcing the Copilot+PC
Satya Nadella announcing the Copilot+PC

As suggested in the sizzle video above, this implies that a Copilot+ PC can retrieve a line from a document you write or reviewed days earlier, remind you of a commitment or action you made in an email last week, or monitor your web browsing to suggest frequently visited websites and services based on your current activity or “intent”. Whilst there are clear privacy concerns, Microsoft claims that Copilot+ becomes an AI superpower when fully operational and respects your privacy at all times – helping you to do more.

Constant monitoring will be at the heart of a Copilot+ PC, but Microsoft say that it’s substantial AI computing power can do much much more. For example, there will be many creative tools that leverage AI, ranging from Photoshop’s generative AI fill to Microsoft’s AI image generation, to AI video and voice effects in meetings. With a Copilot+ PC, these functions are executed locally on the device – saving time, reducing the need to rely in cloud services and reducing CPU workload and power consumption.

Microsoft have said that users will always be in control and will have the option to disable the always-on AI tracking and to be able to review and delete these AI snapshots individually.

To be classed as Copilot+ status, PCs must be able to deliver at least 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS) of AI processing power from the Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This represents a significant increase from previous offerings, such as Intel’s Meteor Lake, which provided only 10 TOPS from the NPU.

Under the Hood of a Copilot + PC

So, what is powering these new Copilot+ PCs? Despite Microsoft announcing the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for business earlier this year, the new Copilot+ PCs are not powered Intel or AMD chips.

“Over the past year, we have seen an incredible pace of innovation of AI in the cloud with Copilot allowing us to do things that we never dreamed possible…..

Now, we begin a new chapter with AI innovation on the device…..

We have completely reimagined the entirety of the PC, from silicon to the operating system, the application layer to the cloud, with AI at the center, marking the most significant change to the Window platform in decades”

Microsoft (May 2024)

Instead, the initial series exclusively features the Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus chips, each boasting more than 40 TOPS of AI power. According to Qualcomm, these chips provide over four times the AI power of their competitors‘ chips and have more than enough power to run the latest AI infused games.

The Copilot+PC also include the dedicated button to prompt the Copilot AI assistant at any time.

Security is also AI Powered

Microsoft focussed heavily on Security. As with the current ARM powered devices such as the Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 9 5G, every Copilot+ PC comes secured out of the box.

The Microsoft Pluton Security processor (which goes way beyond TPM) is activated by default on all Copilot+ PCs, and they are introducing several new features, updates, and defaults in Windows 11 24H2 that will simplify, yet enhance user security. Additionally, Microsoft are integrated additional personalised privacy controls to safeguard personal and sensitive data.


Microsoft’s vision is to ensure this new AI standards for PCs will enable the next generation of AI development which is timely given their annual Build Conference runs this week in which they will be driving new development capability to develops eager to ride the AI gravy train for Windows system and application development.

As the primary investor in OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, Microsoft also confirmed that the newly announced GPT-4o model, which powers the chatbot, will also be integrated into Copilot+ PCs “soon”. GPT-4o is currently available in preview in Azure AI.