Microsoft has launched an experimental program called Windows AI Labs aimed at testing new AI features within the Windows environment. Recently, some Windows beta testers noticed mentions of this initiative in pre-release updates for Microsoft Paint. The company has since confirmed the program’s existence to Technology News, explaining it is intended to give users an early glimpse of upcoming AI functionalities across Windows.
Mike Harsh, Partner Director of Product Management at Microsoft, described the program in a statement, saying, “The Windows AI Lab is a pilot acceleration program for validating novel AI feature ideas in Windows. The program focuses on rapid customer feedback on feature usability, customer interest, and market fit.”
While prompts for accessing the Windows AI Labs features have been noted in some iterations of Paint, Microsoft has yet to clarify which specific features are under consideration for initial testing. Notably, the company has been incorporating functionalities reminiscent of Photoshop into Paint, like transparency, layers, and the ability to handle .paint project files. It’s reasonable to expect that AI tools integrated into Paint may parallel offerings from Adobe’s Photoshop.
Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing various Windows applications with AI-driven capabilities. These updates include free AI functions for Notepad, image generation in Paint, and AI functionalities within File Explorer.
