Microsoft Introduces “Copilot” Key in Groundbreaking Update to Windows Keyboard After 30 Years

In a monumental stride toward enhanced user interaction, Microsoft has unveiled the “Copilot” key, marking its most significant update to the Windows keyboard in three decades. This innovation introduces a dedicated button that seamlessly summons an AI-powered assistant with a single click, propelling Microsoft into what they dub “the year of the AI PC.”

The Copilot key is set to be incorporated into upcoming PCs from various manufacturers that operate on the Windows operating system, ushering in a new era of simplified and amplified computing experiences. Users can now engage with Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered chatbot, effortlessly to seek assistance, ask questions, or even draft emails.

Yusuf Mehdi, the Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft, expressed the transformative impact of the Copilot key, stating, “This will not only simplify people’s computing experience but also amplify it, making 2024 the year of the AI PC.” Notably, Copilot is driven by the underlying technology from OpenAI, a result of Microsoft’s substantial $13 billion investment in the AI startup.

If Copilot is not currently available in a user’s country or enabled on their device, pressing the Copilot key will activate Windows Search. The distinctive key, featuring a Copilot ribbon logo, is strategically placed on the lower right side of the keyboard, adjacent to the Space bar and Alt button.

This introduction marks the most significant modification to the Windows PC keyboard since the inclusion of the Windows key in 1994, a button that became a staple on laptops and desktop keyboards from leading companies like Dell, Lenovo, and HP.

Microsoft’s announcement precedes the CES tech convention scheduled for next week, where a flurry of AI product updates is anticipated from various companies. The unveiling of the Copilot key aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry, where major players are racing to develop and integrate AI tools across their product portfolios.

Yusuf Mehdi further teased a “significant shift” in 2024 for Microsoft, hinting at a seamless integration of AI into Windows, spanning from the system and silicon to the hardware itself. This signals a promising trajectory for Microsoft as it continues to lead in the evolution of AI-infused computing experiences.