Microsoft to unveil new Surface devices & AI updates in special event, check when & where to watch

Microsoft is gearing up for a 'special event’ set to take place in New York City, where the tech giant is expected to introduce three new Surface devices and showcase AI-powered features across its ecosystem, including Windows, Office, Bing, and Surface.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm IST on Thursday, 21 September 2023, marking the first in-person Surface event since the pandemic. The event will serve as an opportunity to witness how the new leaders of Windows and Surface propel Microsoft's ambitious AI initiatives.

What to expect from the event?

- Three new surface devices: Microsoft is rumoured to unveil three new Surface devices at the event. Among them, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has garnered significant attention. Leaks suggest it will feature Intel's 13th Gen processors, Nvidia's RTX 4060 GPU, a microSD card slot, and a USB-A port.

This device appears to retain the original's design, with a versatile display that can be pulled forward to transform it from a laptop to a tablet.

Notably, it will be the first Surface device to ship with a whopping 64GB of RAM, emphasising performance improvements. The expected shipping date for the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is 3 October 2023. In addition to the Surface Laptop Studio 2, Microsoft is anticipated to introduce the Surface Go 4 and Surface Laptop Go 3.

- Windows AI Features: Microsoft's event will also showcase the integration of AI-powered features into Windows. One notable development is Windows Copilot, described as an AI ‘personal assistant.’ Expected to be part of the Windows 11 update (23H2), Windows Copilot is set to enhance the Windows experience with various improvements. The update is anticipated to roll out by the end of September.

Rumoured AI-powered windows features

- Real-time AI translation

- AI-enhanced writing assistance

- Advanced AI-powered search capabilities

AI integration to paint & photos: Microsoft's AI focus extends beyond Copilot, with AI-powered enhancements appearing in Windows apps such as the Snipping Tool and Photos.

These features offer functionality like copying text from screenshots and adding background blur to photos. Furthermore, there are rumours of AI integration coming to Paint, enabling automatic image generation from text prompts, and to Photos for identifying and relocating people or objects within images.

AI across Surface ecosystem & beyond

Microsoft's Surface team has been actively exploring AI applications. For example, features like Windows Studio Effects, which debuted on the Arm-powered Surface Pro X in 2020, utilise dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) to enhance user experiences, such as maintaining eye contact during video calls. It's possible that the Surface Laptop Studio 2 may include its own dedicated NPU.

Beyond Surface, Microsoft's AI initiatives extend to Office and Bing. Expectations include updates on Microsoft's Copilot plans for Microsoft 365 and Office apps, which aim to streamline document summarisation, email generation, and Excel analysis.

Additionally, there may be announcements related to Bing Chat, both for consumers and enterprises, which enhance communication and data protection.