Microsoft wants every Windows 11 PC to be an “AI PC”, but what does that mean? 

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Executive summary 

  • Microsoft has revealed some ambitious updates for Windows 11 that aim to turn every PC into an “AI PC”, with Microsoft Copilot at the core. 
  • The goal is to move beyond conventional keyboard and mouse input. Instead, your PC will understand text or voice, “see” what’s on your screen, and use agentic tech to take actions on your behalf.  
  • For UK organisations, the move to AI PCs means a rethinking of OS upgrades, hardware provisioning, and even the fundamentals of how staff work with their devices. 

Introduction 

Over the last thirty or so years – since the dawn of modern computing – we’ve pretty much stuck to one input method. The good old keyboard and mouse.  

There have been attempts to dislodge this input method from its perch (remember Cortana?), but so far, nothing has stuck. 

With its October 2025 announcement, Microsoft has revealed some big changes coming to the way we interact with Windows 11, primarily by introducing the concept of an “AI PC” with Copilot at its heart.   

But what does this really mean? And will it really take off? Let’s take a closer look.  

What is an “AI PC” when it’s at home? 

“AI PC” is a term Microsoft uses to describe a Windows 11 machine built around generative and agentic AI. 

According to the blog, an AI PC like this should be able to:  

  1. Engage with you via text or voice 
  2. See what you see on the screen 
  3. Take action for you in apps and workflows – provided you’ve granted permission  

      In practical terms, for you this means: 

      • Say “Hey Copilot” to start a conversation with your PC instead of hunting for apps. 
      • Point to or share your screen and have the PC analyse images or workflows and suggest next steps. This ability to “see” your screen is known as Copilot Vision. 
      • Use agentic features where the PC actually executes tasks on your behalf – like organising files, summarising documents, or suggesting edits. 

      So, yes: your PC might soon be more of an assistant than an appliance. And that matters for businesses, because it changes how staff work, how hardware is chosen, how security is managed, and how valuable work gets done.  

      Three key changes to know about today 

      We all know there’s a lot of moving parts when it comes to AI, so let’s break this down into the three major areas you should care about.  

      1. Voice and vision become the new keyboard and mouse 

      You’ll soon be able to trigger Copilot using just your voice. Once enabled, you can say, “Hey Copilot…” and your machine will listen. Microsoft suggests that when people use voice, engagement with Copilot is double compared to typing. In parallel, Copilot Vision will read, understand and comment on what’s on your screen – whether it’s a spreadsheet, a design file, or a PowerPoint deck.  

      2. Agentic actions, not just suggestions 

      While older “assistant” tools only offered suggestions, Copilot in Windows 11 is being built to actually do things. Microsoft’s “Actions” feature will allow the AI to perform tasks you choose – from organising large folders, extracting data, or setting up workflows. Again, it’ll only do this with your express permission.  

      For businesses, this opens possibilities such as staff spending less time manually managing desktop tasks and more time being productive. But it also means you need to think about permissions, audit trails, and change management as part of your IT strategy. 

      3. Security and control must find a way to scale 

      Whenever AI starts acting for you, trust and control always have to follow. Microsoft emphasizes that these AI capabilities are optional, opt-in, and will include transparency and controls so users understand what’s happening. 

      For your IT team, that means ensuring identity, device, and data permissions are aligned, training staff on the new interaction modes, reviewing hardware requirements, and aligning security policies with the new behaviour. 

      What your business should do to prepare 

      We’ve done the theory. Now let’s get practical.  

      Here are the steps you can take now so you’re ahead of the (potential) move to AI PCs – not playing catch-up.  

      1. Audit your device estate: Which machines are Windows 11 ready? Which are running legacy hardware that may block voice or vision features? 
      2. Review your adoption plan: Decide on a “pilot” group of employees who will take part early. Gather their feedback, then iterate. 
      3. Update your policies: Make sure AI-driven features align with your data governance, user permissions, device controls, and audit logging. 
      4. Train your staff: There’s probably a couple of decades worth of muscle memory working against a big shift like this, so training in how to use these AI features will be essential.  
      5. Align your hardware refresh strategy: If you’re buying new PCs in the next year, make sure they’re Windows 11 ready and support the experiences you want. 

              In short: don’t wait until your users start asking to use “Hey Copilot” and you find yourself without a plan. Be proactive instead. 

              TL;DR 

              The “AI PC” concept might sound futuristic, but for businesses, it’s already happening. 

              For your team, it means their PC could quickly transform from a tool into a teammate. And if you’re still thinking about the PC as a screen and keyboard combo, now’s the time to think again.  

              If you’d like help planning for Windows 11’s AI evolution – from hardware readiness to user adoption – speak to your Get Support Customer Success Manager or call our friendly team on 01865 594 000.