Microsoft’s annual developer conference, Build 2024, is set to take place this week from May 21 to May 23. The keynote, led by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, will be held on May 22 at 12 a.m. SGT. The event will primarily focus on advancements in AI, particularly updates to Copilot, the AI-powered tool designed to support Microsoft 365 users with automation features.
A major highlight of the conference will be the launch of brand-new Microsoft Surface laptops powered by the latest Snapdragon X Elite chipset. These new Surface devices are expected to rival Apple’s M3-powered MacBooks in performance and efficiency.
The conference will kick off with a dedicated Surface event, where Microsoft is anticipated to unveil consumer versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6. These new laptops will feature the Snapdragon X Elite chipset, which Microsoft believes will outperform Apple’s latest M3-powered MacBook Air in both CPU and AI-related tasks due to the Snapdragon X Elite’s advanced neural processing capabilities.
Technical specifications and enhancements
The business versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, integrated Intel Arc Graphics, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. It is expected that the consumer versions will retain similar specifications, with the significant upgrade being the inclusion of the Snapdragon X Elite chipset.
Microsoft also suggests that the new processors will enable faster app emulation compared to Apple’s Rosetta 2, potentially boosting productivity on the Surface laptops. Additionally, the new devices will feature a dedicated Copilot key and advanced 1440p cameras. There is also speculation that the consumer Surface devices might come with slimmer bezels and larger trackpads.
AI Explorer and enhanced features
Windows Central reports that Microsoft’s “AI Explorer” will serve as an umbrella term for a suite of new AI and machine learning-powered features in Windows 11. This will include a revamped search experience that understands natural language queries to surface websites, files, and more. AI Explorer is also expected to introduce a visual timeline for easy scrolling through recent activities, along with contextual suggestions based on user activity.
Beyond these features, AI Explorer will reportedly expand existing Copilot functionality, adding live captions generated by AI models, enhanced Studio effects like real-time video filters, and on-device generative AI capabilities for tasks such as creating photos on the fly.
The conference will feature over 137 sessions dedicated to Microsoft’s Copilot initiative, which integrates AI assistants into coding workflows, Office apps, Edge, and Teams. These sessions will provide extensive information about Copilot and its features, helping developers kickstart their journey into utilising Copilot extensions. One notable session is titled “Developer’s Guide to Customising Microsoft Copilot.”