- Microsoft has a new Windows AI Labs program
- The aim is to accelerate the development of AI features for Windows 11
- Initially this is just for the Paint app, but other apps will be included in time
Microsoft has fired up a new scheme for testing AI features in Windows 11, starting with the Paint app.
Windows Latest reports receiving an invitation to the new ‘Windows AI Labs’, which is a program for beta-testing incoming AI features (separate to existing preview builds of Windows 11, which are deployed via four different channels).
The offer to join the scheme was presented to the tech site upon opening Microsoft Paint, and while it’s initially just for that app, it’ll be introduced to other applications in the future.
The Verge confirmed the new program, receiving a statement from Mike Harsh, who is partner director of product management at Microsoft. Harsh explained: “The Windows AI Lab is a pilot acceleration program for validating novel AI feature ideas in Windows. The program focuses on rapid customer feedback on feature usability, customer interest, and market fit.”
The opportunity to join is only being offered to a small number of testers right now, apparently, with the scope doubtless set to be expanded at a later date. Windows Latest explains that the sign-up process doesn’t even work yet – and the rollout of the offer happening now appears to be an error.
Still, this is clearly coming soon enough given Microsoft’s confirmation of the move.
Analysis: more AI for Windows 11
One thing this tells us is that there will soon be new AI features coming to Paint, an app which has already seen a few of these arrive (they may well be exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, too). The idea seems to be for Microsoft to get these abilities tested more swiftly so that it can make decisions on whether or not to proceed with them in a more timely manner.
Of course, it’ll come with the usual caveats attached to any beta testing. The new AI features may be wonky in some way, and you’ll possibly find them going awry (maybe even badly, given that this effort is focused on ‘rapidly’ getting stuff out there for feedback). Features may end up being scrapped, too, as far from everything in testing makes the cut for the final version of any given app.
Microsoft is obviously keen to push AI features as part of the drive to sell Copilot+ PCs, currently with an emphasis on grabbing the attention of those leaving Windows 10 when it hits End of Life soon enough. So, it isn’t surprising to see the company looking to accelerate the development of those capabilities.
However, some Windows 11 users are frustrated at Microsoft adding AI trimmings when those people just want existing functionality fixed (cough: File Explorer performance), or indeed the addressing of basic options that are still missing (like moving the taskbar away from the bottom of the screen).
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