Microsoft is empowering developer communities across the region to create and deliver the next generation of differentiated Artificial Intelligence (AI) experiences. At the Build 2024 conference, Microsoft announced a host of new product launches and feature updates to its AI solutions. Key updates across Microsoft’s Azure AI Services include Azure AI Studio, now generally available as part of the Microsoft Copilot stack. Additionally, GPT-4o, OpenAI’s latest flagship model, is now available in Azure AI Studio and as an API.
This groundbreaking multimodal model integrates text, images, and audio processing to set a new standard for generative and conversational AI experiences. Another highlight is Phi-3-vision, a new multimodal model in the Phi-3 family of AI small language models (SLMs), now available in preview on Azure. Microsoft is also enhancing its Fabric platform to help developers maximize their data and make more informed decisions. Real-Time Intelligence, currently in preview within Microsoft Fabric, empowers analysts with low-code/no-code experiences and pro developers with code-rich user interfaces. This feature enables them to act on high-volume, time-sensitive data proactively.
Additionally, the Microsoft Fabric Workload Development Kit, also in preview, provides tools to extend applications within Fabric, creating a unified user experience for developers and independent software vendors (ISVs). The company has also unveiled several updates to its Copilot stack. Team Copilot expands Copilot for Microsoft 365 from a personal AI assistant to a team-oriented solution. This will go a long way in improving collaboration and project management. Microsoft Copilot Studio now supports developers in building custom copilots that can respond proactively to specific data and events. GitHub is also introducing GitHub Copilot extensions, developed by Microsoft and third-party partners, in private preview. Additionally, these extensions allow developers to customize their GitHub Copilot experience with preferred services like Azure, Docker, and Sentry.
Frank X. Shaw, Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft, emphasized the transformative impact of Copilot. “Since its release, Copilot has been a game-changer for many people and organizations, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences. Over the past year, we’ve built and updated Microsoft Copilot extensively. Now, we’re introducing new expansions to empower developers to create intelligent Copilots tailored to their needs.”
To support demanding AI and high-performance computing workloads, Microsoft announced the preview of the new Cobalt 100 Arm-based virtual machine (VM) and the general availability of the Azure ND MI300X v5 VM. These announcements build on Microsoft’s earlier launch of Copilot+ PCs. It is a new category of intelligent Windows PCs designed exclusively for AI. With powerful new silicon and access to large language models (LLMs) running in Microsoft Azure, Copilot+ PCs offer unparalleled performance.
Copilot+ PCs unlock new experiences like Recall, Cocreator, Live Captions, and translating audio from over 40 languages into English. These features are available on thin and light devices from Microsoft Surface and OEM partners like Acer, ASUS and Samsung. Pre-orders for these devices start from $999, with general availability beginning on June 18, 2024. These devices, along with the latest features announced at Build 2024, position Windows as the most open platform for AI and the best place for developers.
