4 Ways AI Could Seriously Upgrade the Next Version of Windows

2023 is only a few weeks away, but it already looks like “AI” will be one of the tech buzzwords of the year. Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the release of chatbot ChatGPT in November was perhaps one of the most compelling demonstrations of what AI can do.

Microsoft has already invested in the company behind it, OpenAI, but now it’s taking it to the next level. The ChatGPT version will soon be directly integrated into the Bing search engine and the Edge web browser, while a similar technology is being used to provide Microsoft Teams meeting summaries.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of AI on Windows. There are many different ways that this technology can be used to improve the user experience, and rumor has it that the arrival of Windows 12 in 2024 could be the perfect opportunity.

Here are four examples of how AI can be used to improve Windows.

1. Improved Windows Search

ChatGPT is focused on answering text queries, so why not add it to where it most often happens in Windows? The search feature can currently be used to search apps, files, folders, and search the web, but it can be extended to work just like Bing or Edge.

Potential examples include searching for specific documents or photos by a vague description, sending a hard-hitting email in Outlook, or changing several key settings at the same time.

2. New productivity assistant

Many remember Clippy, annoying an animated paperclip that was used to provide suggestions in Office applications in the late 90s and early 00s. Then there was Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Alexa and Google Assistant.

Neither was very popular, but the new AI-based assistant certainly could be. Instead of just providing templates, it can be used to create almost entire documents and presentations for you. Need to look for something? Such an assistant can give you information without even leaving the application.

It will take some effort to check the sources and prevent plagiarism problems, but it will speed up the work considerably.

3. Easy file management

File management is a tedious process in Windows 11 that can often lead to an overflowing Documents folder or a cluttered desktop. Instead of looking at everything one by one like you do now, wouldn’t it be great if the AI ​​could handle it for you?

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

A simple command like “move all tech-related files to one folder” AI can save you hours of work. It can even automatically create folders with similar files, or delete ones it thinks you don’t need (but only to the trash so you can review them!).

4. New AI-centric stock apps

Microsoft includes a lot of preinstalled software with Windows 11, but AI could mean we’ll see even more.

A common use case for ChatGPT is to offer recipes, so Microsoft might decide to build their own food-related app. Along with AI-generated dishes, you can also find very specific restaurant recommendations and book a table with just a couple of clicks.

Another potential implementation could be a travel app that can create a complete itinerary based on your personality and the things you like. Eventually, the AI ​​will even be able to book everything for you.

These are just a few ways you can use AI to dramatically improve your Windows experience. But these are just our suggestions, and there is no evidence that Microsoft will bring any of these to Windows anytime soon.

However, it would be a real surprise not to see at least some new AI-related features in the next major version of Windows.