Redefining the Desktop Interface: Windows' Next Version to Enhance Ambience, Pervasiveness, and Multimodality through AI Integration (Microsoft's Windows Head)
In a recent video interview, Microsoft's head of Windows, Pavan Davuluri, discussed the future of the platform, revealing a vision for an AI-first, multimodal Windows by 2030. This ambitious plan aims to transform the operating system, making it more ambient, pervasive, and multi-modal, with traditional inputs like keyboard and mouse becoming obsolete[1].
At the heart of this vision is the concept of multimodal, natural language interaction. AI will orchestrate apps, workflows, and system functions by understanding voice commands and other input forms, shifting the user experience away from manual inputs towards conversational and context-aware AI assistant interaction[1][2].
Microsoft is also developing specialized hardware with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to support advanced AI models locally. This move is designed to deliver low-latency, privacy-sensitive AI features integrated directly into Windows devices, allowing real-time AI assistance without heavy cloud dependency[2].
The company is also focusing on developer tools and protocols, such as the Windows AI Foundry and Model Context Protocol (MCP), to enable AI models and agentic assistants to securely interact with files, apps, and system capabilities. This fosters an AI app ecosystem deeply integrated with the OS environment, supporting agent-driven workflows and automation[2][4].
Rather than jumping to a Windows 12 release, Microsoft is iterating Windows 11 continuously to embed AI capabilities, making the OS ambient, context-aware, and driven by AI as a core modality of interaction, not just an add-on[2].
Future Windows is expected to be voice-centric, with traditional mouse and keyboard inputs feeling as alien as command-line interfaces do now. Instead, users will rely on a digital assistant-like AI at the core to interact with their devices naturally and seamlessly across modalities[1].
Interestingly, Apple is also rumoured to be working on a new feature for iOS 26 that places voice at the centre of the user experience, suggesting a growing trend towards voice-centric interfaces across the tech industry.
This aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy of embedding AI across its ecosystem, supported by investments in Azure AI Foundry and AI infrastructure, enabling intelligent, adaptive applications both locally and in the cloud[4].
[1] Microsoft's "Windows 2030 Vision" video interview: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/blog/2022/04/28/introducing-the-windows-2030-vision/ [2] Microsoft Build 2022: Windows 11 to become more AI-driven and voice-centric: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/blog/2022/05/24/microsoft-build-2022-windows-11-to-become-more-ai-driven-and-voice-centric/ [3] Windows 11: Microsoft is working on a voice-centric future: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/blog/2022/05/25/windows-11-microsoft-is-working-on-a-voice-centric-future/ [4] Microsoft invests in Azure AI Foundry to drive AI innovation: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/updates/microsoft-invests-in-azure-ai-foundry-to-drive-ai-innovation/
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