Top AI Announcements from Microsoft and Amazon Events You Must Not Miss
In Brief
American tech giants Microsoft and Amazon unveiled their latest AI-driven product updates during individual events.
Catch up on all latest AI announcements from Microsoft and Amazon to get a glimpse of the impact it can have.
Last month, American tech giants Microsoft and Amazon unveiled their latest AI-driven product updates during individual events.
While Microsoft revealed AI-powered features for Office, Windows, Bing and more at its “Surface, Windows, and AI showcase event” in New York, Amazon announced AI updates for Alexa and its smart home platform during the “Devices and Services” media event at HQ2 – the tech firm’s corporate headquarters in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia.
Here’s a catch up on all latest AI announcements from Microsoft and Amazon, for a glimpse of the impact it can have.
Windows 11 gets AI integration
Beginning September 26, Microsoft is integrating the company’s AI-powered assistant, Windows Copilot, into Windows 11. It can be at users’ fingertips with a Win+C keyboard shortcut on the PC.
Copilot will now be available in all Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, the Edge browser and Bing, to intelligently blend information from the web, work and users’ current PC activity to deliver effective assistance.
For example, Copilot on Windows can access information from a connected smartphone, allowing users to ask questions, such as summarising text messages.
A new feature – Windows Ink Anywhere – can team up with Copilot to solve math problems for the user and more. Imagine using a Surface Laptop pen to highlight a math problem on screen, and Copilot steps in to assist with the solution.
Enhanced Personalization and DALL-E 3 features for Bing Chat
Microsoft’s web search engine Bing Chat has integrated of DALL-E 3, the latest version of text-to-image generator from OpenAI, which will help users generate images directly within the chat through simple text prompts .
OpenAI is an American non-profit AI research laboratory producing interesting tools like DALL-E and now the popular ChatGPT. At the same time, Microsoft is the largest investor in OpenAI, with the former infusing $10 billion early this year.
Also, in the new update, the Bing Image Generator will include content credentials marked with a tag reading “Generated with AI” to assist users in distinguishing between AI-generated images and real ones.
The Personalised Answers feature allows Bing Chat to draw from users’ search history to offer more context-aware responses. This feature eliminates the need for repetitive information. For instance, if a user previously informed Bing Chat about their interest in hiking. The next time the user inquires about “good outdoor activities,” Bing Chat can automatically suggest hiking spots or related outdoor activities.
Microsoft 365 Copilot to be Launched in November
First unveiled in March, Microsoft’s 365 Copilot AI assistant will be made available to Microsoft 365 customers with specific business and enterprise plans from November 1st. The tool empowers business users to simplify tasks like document summarisation and editing, email creation, providing real-time highlights from Teams meetings, and more.
Companies that were part of the tool’s initial access programme will have priority access to deploy the software. However, this will cost an additional charge of $30 per person per month on top of the existing costs associated with Microsoft 365.
What’s up, Amazon?
From showing off a smarter version of Alexa to harnessing its machine learning, computer vision and facial recognition technologies for smart home products, Amazon has heated the AI race at its “Devices and Services” event.
With several reports from last year indicating huge losses to Amazon’s Alexa and Echo speakers division, the AI makeover seems like a timely attempt to turn the wheels.
Alexa gets a Generative AI Boost
For many, Alexa was the first interaction with AI; however, its challenges, including robotic responses and sometimes its inability to fully grasp complex questions, lead to moments of frustration.
Amazon has introduced a new generative AI feature called “Alexa, let’s chat,” available for preview on all Echo devices. Users can expect more natural and seamless interactions with the voice assistant when they initiate a conversation.
The assistant features an upgraded speech recognition system to accommodate natural pauses in users’ speech, resulting in faster response times. On Alexa devices equipped with a camera, users will no longer have to say “Alexa” to activate the voice assistant; they can simply face the screen to interact with it.
Amazon’s SVP of devices and services, Dave Limp, said the updated Alexa could comprehend conversational phrases and provide suitable responses. It can better grasp context and carry out multiple requests in a single command.
Additionally, the Eye Gaze feature enables individuals with mobility challenges and speech disabilities to use Alexa through eye movements. Directing their gaze at the screen can help them take action, including playing music, making calls or managing smart home devices.
A more Personalized Fire TV
Amazon has harnessed its AI capabilities to assist users in choosing what to watch on Fire TV.
Leveraging vast data from sources like IMDB and watch history allows users to make intricate requests, such as “Find the recent show starring the actor from The Peaky Blinders,” and instantly discover shows like “Taboo.” This personalized search allows users to say things like “Hey, continue the romantic series I started” or “Recommend new free-to-stream action movies.”
AI Art on Fire TV
In the near future, Fire TV users can craft AI-generated artwork using only their voice and creativity.
By providing Alexa with imaginative prompts, users can see their ideas transform into unique visuals on their screens. The AI Art feature is set to become available to US customers by the end of this year, exclusively on devices equipped with the Fire TV Ambient Experience.
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About The Author
Victor is a Managing Tech Editor/Writer at Metaverse Post and covers artificial intelligence, crypto, data science, metaverse and cybersecurity within the enterprise realm. He boasts half a decade of media and AI experience working at well-known media outlets such as VentureBeat, DatatechVibe and Analytics India Magazine. Being a Media Mentor at prestigious universities including the Oxford and USC and with a Master's degree in data science and analytics, Victor is deeply committed to staying abreast of emerging trends. He offers readers the latest and most insightful narratives from the Tech and Web3 landscape.
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Victor is a Managing Tech Editor/Writer at Metaverse Post and covers artificial intelligence, crypto, data science, metaverse and cybersecurity within the enterprise realm. He boasts half a decade of media and AI experience working at well-known media outlets such as VentureBeat, DatatechVibe and Analytics India Magazine. Being a Media Mentor at prestigious universities including the Oxford and USC and with a Master's degree in data science and analytics, Victor is deeply committed to staying abreast of emerging trends. He offers readers the latest and most insightful narratives from the Tech and Web3 landscape.
