AI File Explorer is one of the tools that Microsoft is rumored to integrated into the next version of Windows. These tools are designed for AI PCs specifically.
Everything is a bit murky right now, as Microsoft is keeping is not revealing much about:
- what defines an AI PC.
- the features that make AI PCs.
- the requirements of AI PCs.
While that is keeping the suspense, it is also confusing. Should you wait buying a new PC or laptop to make sure that it matches Microsoft’s definition and gets all AI features?
A few tidbits leaked on the Internet. AI PCs do need a neural processing unit and need to have a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard. AI PCs may also need at least 16GB of RAM.
None of this has been confirmed officially by Microsoft at this point. Maybe Build 2024 will shed some light into the darkness.
AI File Explorer requirements
Windows detective Albacore found information about AI PCs recently. In build 26100, which may be Windows 11 24H2 RTM, Albacore found the following information:
- ARM64 CPU
- 16GB of RAM.
- 225GB System Drive.
- Snapdragon X Elite NPU
The 16GB requirement leaked earlier. It seems unlikely that AI File Explorer will only be available on ARM64 Windows devices.
My guess: The requirements are for ARM PCs that run Windows. Intel and AMD PCs will also get the functionality, provided that they meet certain processor requirements. The 16GB requirement is likely universal across all AI PCs though.
It is almost certain that some AI PC features require a NPU, a neural processing unit. Still, Microsoft has not revealed much about these features. It is not even clear what AI File Explorer will bring to the table.
One possible feature that it could add would be natural language processing. You could ask it to show photos from the last vacation, videos that show a beach scene, a specific document, or a list of recently created executables.
This could be interesting to some users.
Closing Words
Microsoft will lift the curtain on AI PCs, their features and requirements, in the coming months. If you are interested in the functionality, you may want to postpone any purchases planned regarding Windows devices.
What about you? Would you use AI PC functionality? What would you like to see?
This is basically a Cortana OS then. Will flop majestically. I think their target userbase is that guy from the “One” video by Metallica.
AI PC functionality, hum …
If the idea is to consider one’s device as a chaotic closet where organization lacks, where folders have no specifics, in other words where the user abolishes all common sens and relies on AI to find what he could have found easily had he only used his brains … then I’d consider that AI is not an assistant but a bay-sitter. Calculators have replaced a pen and paper even for basic mathematical operations, is AI bound to replace one’s ability for organization based on data serialization tied to logic and amounts? Is this the future of the digital era citizen : stop thinking, be free of responsibilities, leave all that to AI? Not my vision of life.