Recent leaks from a reliable source within the Microsoft sphere suggest that Windows 11 could be in line for significant AI enhancements across its core applications. Zac Bowden, known for his insights into all things Microsoft, has indicated that the tech giant is exploring the integration of AI functionality into several default apps within Windows 11, including Photos, Snipping Tool, Paint, and the Camera app.
The proposed AI capabilities bring forth intriguing possibilities for each application. In the case of Photos, the envisioned feature involves AI-powered identification of individuals or objects within images. Users could then effortlessly isolate and transfer these elements to other images, documents, or platforms.
Generative AI is anticipated to make its mark in Paint, enabling users to request the creation of specific visual content. This would echo the concept of the Bing chatbot, which can craft images based on user prompts.
The Snipping Tool’s prospective enhancement centers around optical character recognition (OCR). This technology would empower the tool to detect text within screenshots and subsequently extract and copy the text to the clipboard. A similar OCR capability could be introduced to the Camera app, enabling it to extract text content from photos.
Bowden underscores that these ideas are still in the experimental phase, and their implementation timeline remains uncertain. It is noteworthy that these potential AI-driven features could potentially require specific hardware support in some instances. For instance, the presence of a vision processing unit (VPU) might be necessary to accelerate AI-related tasks. Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake CPUs are slated to incorporate VPUs for this purpose.
These reported AI enhancements, if realized, could usher in a new era of efficiency and convenience within Windows 11. The ability to swiftly extract text from images and seamlessly manipulate visual content would undoubtedly streamline user experiences. However, it’s important to acknowledge that these speculations are subject to change, and the extent and timing of these AI features remain speculative.
The leaks also highlight Microsoft’s overarching ambition to infuse AI throughout the Windows 11 environment. While the current information pertains to Windows 11, it’s possible that more substantial AI integration could be a defining aspect of Microsoft’s future OS endeavors. Whether this leads to an evolution like “Windows AI” or a subsequent iteration like “Windows 12,” the tech world is clearly witnessing Microsoft’s commitment to imbuing its operating systems with intelligent capabilities.
