Another Crazy Day in AI: Your Windows PC Now Understands What You See and Say
- Wowza Team
- Oct 17
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
We’re crawling toward the weekend, but the AI world clearly didn’t get the memo.
Windows 11 is getting its biggest AI infusion yet, bringing Copilot’s smarts to every device. No more wrestling with perfect prompts — these updates make it as simple as talking, pointing, or asking out loud.
Meanwhile, Spotify is striking a rare harmony with major record labels to ensure AI helps artists, not replaces them.
And speaking of smarter systems, Anthropic just gave Claude an upgrade with new skills that help it handle specialized work more efficiently.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Microsoft transforms PCs into conversational AI assistants
Spotify partners with record labels to create artist-first AI tools
Claude becomes more customizable with Skills
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Windows 11 Gets Voice Activation and Vision AI
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
How much time do you spend telling your computer what to do versus having it actually understand what you need?
Microsoft has rolled out a comprehensive set of AI updates for Windows 11, bringing Copilot's capabilities to every device running the operating system. The announcement from Yusuf Mehdi, Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, outlines how the company is building AI functionality into everyday Windows experiences. Rather than requiring users to craft detailed prompts, these updates allow for more conversational interaction through voice and visual understanding. The changes represent Microsoft’s attempt to make AI tools accessible to people who might find traditional prompting tedious or unclear.
Among the updates introduced:
Voice activation through "Hey Copilot" enables hands-free interaction, with the company noting users engage twice as much through voice compared to typing
Copilot Vision rolls out globally, reading what's on your screen to offer guidance whether you're editing images, reviewing documents, or figuring out new software
Taskbar integration puts Copilot one click away, plus a refreshed search experience for finding apps, files, and settings faster
Copilot Actions enters preview, letting the AI handle background tasks like sorting vacation photos or pulling data from PDFs while you do other work
Connected services now include OneDrive, Outlook, Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Calendar for searching across platforms using plain language
Quick export sends Copilot responses directly into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint without copy-pasting
Windows Settings integration means you can adjust system preferences by describing what you want in your own words
Manus AI agent builds functional websites from files in a folder through a simple right-click in File Explorer
Gaming Copilot launches on ROG Xbox Ally handheld devices, offering tips without leaving your game
Privacy controls keep everything opt-in, with visibility into what the AI is doing and options to stop or disable features anytime
Voice interaction on computers isn't new. People have been using dictation, voice typing, and voice commands for years, yet keyboards remain the default for most tasks. Microsoft's observation that voice doubles Copilot engagement is interesting, though engagement by itself doesn't reveal whether people are accomplishing more or simply using the feature more often. The difference matters when considering whether these tools genuinely improve productivity or just change how we interact with our devices. Real-world use over the coming months will show whether voice becomes a preferred method or remains situational.
Copilot Vision's ability to see your screen eliminates the need to describe problems in words, which could be particularly helpful when learning unfamiliar software or troubleshooting technical issues. Instead of typing "how do I adjust the brightness in this photo editor," the AI can look at your screen and guide you directly. This convenience comes with the tradeoff of granting screen access to the AI, which some users may find uncomfortable regardless of Microsoft's privacy assurances. The feature being opt-in addresses this concern to some degree, but it places responsibility on users to understand what they're enabling.
The introduction of Copilot Actions and tools like Manus moves beyond conversational AI into territory where software takes autonomous action. Microsoft is being careful here, starting with preview releases and limited use cases while acknowledging the AI will make errors. This measured approach makes sense given what's at stake—these aren't just suggestions or answers, but actual operations on your files and system. Whether people will trust AI agents to work independently, even with supervision options, depends on how reliably these tools perform and how clearly they communicate what they're doing. The preview period will be crucial for understanding both the capabilities and limitations of this approach.
Read the full article here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
Spotify Partners With Record Labels To Create Artist-First AI Tools
/Spotify Newsroom
Spotify is joining forces with Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Merlin, and Believe to co-develop responsible AI tools that empower artists rather than compete with them. The collaboration focuses on transparency, consent, and fair compensation—ensuring AI deepens connections between artists and fans. The partners will co-create new products guided by four key principles: partnership, choice, fair pay, and creativity. Together, they aim to shape an AI future that protects artistry while unlocking new creative opportunities.
Read more here.
Claude Becomes More Customizable With Skills
/Anthropic Newsroom
Anthropic has introduced Claude Skills, a new way for users and developers to give Claude specialized abilities for specific tasks. Skills are modular folders containing instructions, scripts, and resources that Claude can load when relevant, improving performance for tasks like data analysis, brand writing, and file creation. The update makes Claude more adaptable and efficient across Claude apps, Claude Code, and the API—allowing teams to build, share, and deploy expertise with ease. Anthropic says this marks a step toward more customizable and collaborative AI workflows.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
Alani Connect – Turns files and links into shared chat rooms for source-backed Q&A.
X-Pilot – Turns your ideas into professional educational videos in minutes.
Jungle AI – Generate flashcards and quizzes instantly to learn faster with AI.
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
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