With artificial intelligence poised to revolutionize personal computing, Microsoft is planning to infuse AI capabilities into its Windows 11 apps to enhance user experience. The tech giant aims to integrate innovative AI features into popular applications like Photos, Paint, Snipping Tool, and Camera.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft is developing an AI feature for the Photos app that can recognize people and objects within images. This would allow easy copying and pasting of identified elements across locations.
The move aligns with Microsoft’s vision for AI-powered contextual understanding of images and videos. It can significantly improve productivity when working with visual content.
Text Interactions Through Windows 11 AI
Another major AI upgrade planned is the integration of optical character recognition (OCR) into the Snipping Tool. This would enable text identification in screenshots taken by users. The feature would streamline copying text snippets quickly from screenshots.
The same OCR functionality is expected to be incorporated into the Camera app as well. Users would be able to interact with text identified in photos taken via the camera. This opens up possibilities like quickly translating foreign language text captured in images.
Windows 11 AI to Bring Creativity to Paint App
On the creative front, Microsoft plans to infuse the Paint app with AI capabilities. The app may allow users to request canvas creations based on customizable criteria. This would provide amateur artists with a helping hand in realizing their visions.
The AI assistance would be powered by Bing’s image creation technology, similar to DALL-E integration in Bing Image Creator. Users can bring their abstract ideas to life by leveraging AI to turn their imagination into images.
Building an AI-First Future for Windows 11
These innovations align with Microsoft’s long-term vision of making AI an integral part of the Windows experience. The company wants to enable users to interact with Windows applications conversationally using natural language.
Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered voice commands for Windows 11. It has also added intelligence features like focus sessions and smart suggestions to aid productivity. Integrating AI deeper into flagship apps like Photos and Paint takes this vision forward.
However, the company wants to perfect the implementation before releasing these features publicly. It is currently testing the waters by limiting these AI powers to Windows Insider builds.
Recent Windows 11 Insider Updates
In fact, Build 23516 introduced last week adds several AI-driven upgrades to Windows 11. This includes a “presence sensing” adaptive dimming feature that dims the screen when the user is away. Voice access support was provided from the initial boot for headset-connected PCs.
The update also enabled HDR-quality backgrounds for the first time. Improvements were made to screencasting, touch keyboards, voice typing, and accessibility. This build sets the stage for more ambitious AI innovations in the months ahead.
Microsoft is expected to announce more AI alignment for Windows at its Build 2023 conference next year. AI infusion into OS apps will likely be a key highlight. The tech giant is firmly positioning Windows 11 as an AI-first platform.
With data as the fuel, Microsoft’s massive investments into AI R&D could soon make Windows smarter than ever before. User experience will be the biggest beneficiary as AI makes apps more intuitive, creative, and helpful. The future is AI-infused.