Microsoft has unveiled a new video, marking the beginning of a series titled “Windows 2030 Vision,” where the tech giant shares its aspirations for the future of Windows over the next five years. This initial episode features David Weston, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Enterprise & Security, who provocatively states, “the world of mousing and keyboarding around will feel as alien as it does to Gen Z [using] MS-DOS.”
AI Integration in Windows
The company has previously hinted at this vision, particularly during the Build 2023 conference, where it outlined three potential avenues for AI integration within software. Microsoft envisions AI being embedded in various forms: within apps, alongside apps, and outside of apps. However, the real-world application of AI outside of traditional app confines remains largely unexplored. Currently, AI functionalities are typically features or services contained within existing applications or standalone entities.
As the landscape evolves, it appears that Microsoft is gearing up to create a platform where AI is seamlessly integrated throughout the operating system, acting as an intelligent assistant capable of managing applications and workflows autonomously. Recent advancements in “AI-powered” web browsers provide a glimpse into this future, showcasing how AI can orchestrate tasks across multiple tabs and browsing sessions.
This concept can easily extend to a comprehensive desktop operating system, where AI manages applications and files rather than just browser tabs. Envision a scenario where the traditional cursor is replaced by voice commands, allowing users to instruct Copilot to execute tasks without the need for manual clicks or navigation through menus.
While Microsoft has yet to officially confirm this ambitious trajectory, the insights shared by David Weston and the discussions at Build 2023 strongly suggest a strategic shift towards this direction. CEO Satya Nadella has also alluded to similar transformations, asserting that AI “will fundamentally change what an operating system is, what a UI looks like, and how application interaction goes.”
(Image credit: Future | Daniel Rubino)
Beyond public statements, there are whispers of an internal project dedicated to exploring this transformative vision. Microsoft has reportedly developed working prototypes that delve into this new desktop user experience paradigm. The company stands at a unique crossroads, poised to embed AI deeply into the daily lives of millions through Windows. Unlike standalone AI applications, an agentic Copilot could evolve to become an integral part of the Windows experience itself.
While a radical overhaul of Windows, potentially branded as Windows 12, may not be imminent, the groundwork for an agentic operating system is clearly being laid. The recent introduction of Copilot Mode for Microsoft Edge might serve as a public testing ground for the technologies that will underpin this future, all while keeping the broader vision under wraps.
The “Windows 2030 Vision” video hints at a series of upcoming episodes, suggesting that Microsoft will continue to elaborate on its innovative roadmap for Windows in the weeks and months ahead.
