Tech

Microsoft has announced a significant update for Windows 11, introducing a fresh approach to artificial intelligence. The company refers to this new direction as an "agent OS", where AI agents can perform tasks, interact with files, and manage system components on behalf of the user.
According to The Verge, the standout feature of this update is the AI agents available on the Windows 11 taskbar. They are activated through the Ask Copilot function, operate in the background, and display their status in a compact window. For instance, an agent may search for data, automate routine file operations, or handle tasks in Microsoft 365. 
The integration of agents is optional, allowing users to disable them in the settings if desired. Microsoft is also adding support for AI agents from other companies, with the infrastructure built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling agents to interact with system tools through a managed registry on the device.
AI agents will function within their own "workspace" – an isolated and controlled environment with separate Windows accounts for each agent. This setup is designed for security and to prevent AI errors from impacting the main system.
Microsoft is also expanding the implementation of Copilot in system applications. In File Explorer, Copilot can summarize documents, answer questions about their content, or draft an email based on a file. On PCs, Copilot Plus's Click to Do feature converts any visible table into an Excel document for further processing. Meanwhile, Word will feature automatic alt-text generation for images, and Outlook will receive AI-generated email summaries.

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