Microsoft Surface adds another layer to Microsoft’s AI story

[JonnaBell]

AI is at the forefront of technology conversations—what it is, what it does, what it has the potential to do. Almost all these discussions pertain to the cloud or online experiences where AI helps power search, social media, and apps like ChatGPT. What many might not realize is that also AI runs on devices. Next-generation neural processing units (NPUs) – domain-specific silicon within the device – can run some AI workloads locally instead of in the cloud, improving device performance and personalizing the user experience. Microsoft’s AI journey to date has mainly focused on assisting users running apps like Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, or as a guide across data, e-mails, calendars, and meetings. These experiences unleash new innovation and increase productivity.

The experience of Copilot

Designed by Microsoft, Surface brings software and hardware together – from device to cloud - to build an end-to-end AI experience that supports employees, IT, and business. Experience the productivity of Copilot in Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 in ways only Surface can create, thanks to features that support inclusive styles of work. Use Copilot with voice commands through finely tuned Surface Studio Microphones, or touch gestures and inking on our Surface PixelSense™ touchscreen as an alternative to typing. Users can also create shortcuts to engage Copilot or other Windows features using the Microsoft Adaptive Hub. Surface lets you use Copilot in ways that are most effortless to you.

AI and the device

At this year’s Microsoft Inspire, Matt Barlow, CVP of Windows + Surface Marketing at Microsoft, shared how Microsoft Surface devices add another layer to Microsoft’s AI story, with enhanced sensory experiences and performance. For example, AI capabilities in Windows 11 Studio Effects on Surface Pro 9 with 5G create a sharp contrast between backgrounds and a foreground image, eliminating those irksome moments when body parts, like hair or hands, disappear onscreen. Auditory capabilities similarly separate a person’s voice from external distractions, like barking dogs and crying babies, so that only the person’s voice gets heard. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 contains an Intel NPU on Windows featuring Windows Studio Effects – AI on silicon scaling across the entire Windows experience. These benefits also reveal themselves in the performance of the device. For example, watch how the Surface Laptop Studio 2S blazes through a rendering in a side-by-side comparison to its competitors. The AI-powered smart camera on Surface Hub 2S auto frames the speaker, adjusts tilt for more natural eye contact, and provides a wider view for remote participants, giving them the best possible view of the room. 

Inside the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, next-generation NPUs enable AI to manage power and extend battery performance by offloading processing from the central processing unit (CPU), delivering more computing power, and using less energy. Localized data increases user privacy levels, while additional layers of built-in Surface protection keep your device secure. These capabilities help drive responsible AI usage, a core part of Microsoft’s AI mission.

To gain a better understanding of how Surface brings together the full AI experience from the cloud to the computer, watch these talks from Microsoft Ignite, Inspire, and Build:  

• AI on the Edge with Microsoft Surface, from Microsoft Ignite 2023
• Matt Barlow, CVP of Windows + Surface Marketing at Microsoft Inspire (12:21): Barlow walks viewers through what could be Surface’s biggest year yet, with a glimpse into Microsoft AI and the future. Microsoft Partners can watch Barlow's talk with a partner login.
• Meet the Surface Laptop Studio 2S containing the first Intel NPU on Windows.
• Capture customer AI opportunities with Microsoft Surface: Harshitha Murthy, Sr Product Marketing Manager for Microsoft Surface shows viewers how Surface is developing the latest in AI technology and how partners can empower customers to modernize workforces with Surface as the endpoint.
• Behind the development of AI for Microsoft Surface: Learn the latest in Microsoft AI technology and how it will transform computing as we know it.
• Build 2023 Keynote with Satya Nadella: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlines co-pilot features within new Microsoft AI capabilities that hold the potential to change how we work.
• The Future of Work with AI: Satya Nadella and Jared Spataro, CVP, Modern Work & Business Applications focus on how AI will power a whole new way of working for everyone.
• The history of ARM: This article describes and reflects on the origins of Surface and Microsoft AI.
• Demystifying AI, NPU, and Machine Learning within Microsoft Surface: Deep dive into AI, Neural Processing Units (NPU), and Machine Learning functionalities within Surface designed to enable better hybrid work and learning scenarios.
• Microsoft Build 2022: Seth Juarez, Principal Program Manager, AI Platform at Microsoft and Harshitha Murthy, Sr Product Marketing Manager for Microsoft Surface demonstrate Windows Studio Effects and how AI is enabled on Surface.