Microsoft to reveal new AI models and Windows updates at Build

Microsoft is heading to San Francisco this week to once again benefit developers at its Build conference. I’ve been going to Build since the days when Microsoft called it the Professional Developers Conference, and I can’t remember a more memorable moment. As Microsoft continues to transform its entire business around AI, it’s moving Manga into a smaller, more intimate space. Dependence on Windows and GitHub has dropped dramatically, and this is Microsoft’s chance to reconnect with developers and define the future.

Sources tell me that we will hear about new types of AI in Windows, a new way of thinking from Microsoft AI, and Copilot “super software”. But perhaps most important to those who attend Build, is the understanding that Microsoft will reveal more about its work to improve Windows technology for developers. I’ve been told that Microsoft will unveil a new Windows 11 developer optimization suite this week, which includes many of the things developers have been asking for in Windows: a distraction-free environment with pre-installed apps, tools, and scripts.

I also look forward to hearing more about Microsoft’s efforts to rewrite parts of Windows 11 to improve performance and overall experience. Microsoft has announced its prepare to update Windows 11 earlier this year, and we’re starting to see a lot of early updates already. The Windows Insider team is planning to introduce more updates later todayahead of the Build keynote tomorrow.

Microsoft will also have more news about how Windows is transitioning to new silicon like Nvidia’s RTX Spark. I’ve been told that there will be a big focus on local versions of Windows at Build this year, allowing developers to use local computers instead of relying on expensive cloud versions. Windows CEO Pavan Davuluri was mocked last week that “something is coming to developers” at Build, so I hope to hear more about the next generation of Microsoft’s AI mini-models. Small RTX Spark PCs from Microsoft and HP were also available it doesn’t exist on the list of OEMs during Nvidia’s Computex, so maybe something is on the way.

While Satya Nadella will discuss the new RTX Spark announcement with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during his keynote, I also expect to hear from Qualcomm about continuing its work with Microsoft to develop Windows on Arm. Qualcomm and Microsoft laid much of the groundwork for Arm’s Windows 11 update, allowing Nvidia to return to Windows on Arm after a rocky start with the Surface RT. Microsoft now has to balance the two main suppliers of Arm silicon, as it has been for both AMD and Intel to enjoy for years.

Sources tell me we’ll also hear the latest on Microsoft’s home models at Build this week. I’m told that Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman will unveil a new model of MAI-Thinking-1 at Build, the company’s first prototype. Microsoft didn’t use distillation to develop its ideas, meaning it wasn’t trained to learn from another type of AI. I hope that this concept should be used mainly in business.

An example is one of the new features I hope to hear at Build, including MAI-Image-2.5 and MAI-Image-2.5-Flash. Suleyman laughed the MAI-Image-2.5 was released last week, promising more on Build.

Microsoft will also discuss the upcoming Copilot “super app” at Build. Chance it was first reported last week, and it’s actually an app that combines Microsoft’s various Copilot AI assistants into a single interface. Sources tell me that the build of the app is in progress, but the image that was leaked is that appeared on Friday it’s just a preview of Microsoft’s Build demo.

The image also includes an early look at Microsoft Scout, which is said to be a new AI assistant based on Microsoft’s OpenClaw project. This advanced Copilot app won’t be available at Build even though Microsoft is still in development, so I wouldn’t expect to see it until late summer.

I’m also sure we’ll hear more about the GitHub update at Build this week. I wrote last month that GitHub is facing a battle to survive at Microsoft, after startup, shutdown, and security events. Microsoft needs to restore GitHub’s faith here, especially since top developers are starting to cry. There’s no easy fix, but since Build is being managed by another GitHub team, Microsoft can’t ignore the problems it’s currently facing.

We’ll be covering all the Microsoft Build news this week, so stay tuned for more when the conference begins at 9:30AM PT / 12:30PM ET on Tuesday June 2nd.