Microsoft Unveils New AI Tools and Features for Developers at Build 2024

Microsoft is revolutionizing the developer landscape with the introduction of cutting-edge tools and feature updates announced at the Build 2024 conference. These innovations are designed to accelerate AI innovation and empower developers to create next-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) experiences.

Among the significant announcements, Microsoft revealed that Azure AI Studio is now generally available as a key part of the Microsoft Copilot stack. Additionally, OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-4o, is accessible in Azure AI Studio and via API, offering a groundbreaking multimodal experience that integrates text, images, and audio processing. The Phi-3-vision model, part of Microsoft’s Phi-3 family of small language models (SLMs), is also available in preview.

Microsoft Fabric introduces Real-Time Intelligence, currently in preview, enabling both analysts and pro developers to act on high-volume, time-sensitive data with ease. The Microsoft Fabric Workload Development Kit, also in preview, offers tools for extending applications within Fabric, enhancing the developer and independent software vendor (ISV) experience.

A series of updates to the Microsoft Copilot stack includes the new Team Copilot, which extends the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot to enhance team collaboration and project management. Microsoft Copilot Studio now supports developers in creating custom copilots that proactively respond to specific data and events. GitHub also introduces its first set of Copilot extensions, allowing developers to customize their GitHub Copilot experience with services like Azure, Docker, and Sentry.

To support demanding AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, Microsoft introduced the Cobalt 100 Arm-based virtual machine (VM) and the Azure ND MI300X v5 VM, now generally available. These VMs enhance the capabilities of Microsoft’s AI infrastructure, building on the earlier launch of Copilot+ PCs.

Copilot+ PCs, a new category of intelligent Windows PCs, are designed exclusively for AI with powerful silicon capable of 40+ trillion operations per second (TOPS) and all-day battery life. These PCs offer unique features such as Recall for instantly finding past activities, Cocreator for generating AI images in real-time, Live Captions for bridging language barriers, and translating audio from over 40 languages into English. Available from OEM partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung, these devices start at $999, with pre-orders open and general availability beginning June 18, 2024.

Frank X. Shaw, Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft, highlighted the impact of Copilot: “Since its release, Copilot has transformed efficiency and customer experiences across industries. With over 150 updates and the development of the Copilot stack, we are now enabling developers to build highly intelligent Copilots tailored to unique needs.”

These advancements position Microsoft at the forefront of AI innovation, providing developers with the tools to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI and machine learning.

For more information on these exciting updates and to stay ahead in the AI innovation curve, visit Microsoft’s official website and follow the Build 2024 conference highlights.