Microsoft is rolling out its first internally developed AI models. Branded Microsoft AI (MAI), the two initial releases are MAI-Voice-1, a “highly expressive and natural speech generation model,” and MAI-1-preview, a mixture-of-experts LLM designed for consumer facing applications. The move demonstrates Microsoft’s intent to move beyond exclusive reliance on OpenAI models to power its Copilot assistant and other applications. By striking out on its own, Microsoft is paving a smoother road for OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit entity, which the company is scheduled to initiate by the end of the year. Continue reading Microsoft AI Introduces Proprietary Foundation, Voice Models

Microsoft has launched a new AI-powered feature for its Edge Browser. Copilot Vision is now in preview for a limited number of U.S. Copilot Pro subscribers by opt-in through Copilot Labs. With user permission, Copilot Vision “sees” what is onscreen and can respond to questions about text and images, explains the company. Calling Copilot Vision “the first AI experience of its kind,” Microsoft suggests the experience is “almost like having a second set of eyes as you browse,” adding that when users turn on Copilot Vision it will “instantly scan, analyze, and offer insights based on what it sees.” Continue reading Microsoft Previews AI-Powered Copilot Vision for Edge Browser

Microsoft announced that its Copilot AI assistant has received a major overhaul, gaining voice and vision capabilities. Copilot also now has a virtual news reader mode to present headlines, as well as the ability to see what you see and to interact in a more conversational manner. Before a general release, these tools will be trialed among a subset of Copilot Pro users “to gather feedback” and make them “better and safer.” Microsoft AI Executive VP and CEO Mustafa Suleyman says the changes herald “a calmer, more helpful and supportive era of technology, quite unlike anything we’ve seen before.” Continue reading Microsoft’s Copilot AI Assistant Update Adds Voice and Vision