Microsoft Expands AI-Powered App Access on Windows
▼ Summary
– Windows ML is now generally available, enabling developers to integrate AI into Windows applications for production use.
– The platform is supported on devices running Windows 11 24H2 or newer and provides a local AI inference framework.
– It functions as a hardware abstraction layer, allowing apps to optimally use specific hardware like GPUs, NPUs, or CPUs for different AI workloads.
– The platform has been in development since 2018, and companies like Adobe, McAfee, and Topaz Labs are adopting it for upcoming releases.
– Adobe will use it for video editing features, McAfee for deepfake detection, and Topaz Labs for image editing, as Microsoft aims to attract more users with these AI experiences.
Microsoft has officially launched its Windows ML platform for general production use, significantly broadening developer access to on-device artificial intelligence capabilities within Windows applications. This strategic move aims to embed smarter, more efficient AI features directly into the software ecosystem. According to the company, the framework is compatible with all devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 or later, offering a local inference engine that promises enhanced responsiveness, stronger data privacy, and reduced operational costs by processing AI tasks directly on the user’s machine.
The platform functions by collaborating with silicon manufacturers who create and update specialized execution providers. Windows ML then handles the distribution and management of these components, effectively registering them to run AI workloads with high performance directly on the device. This setup acts as a crucial hardware abstraction layer for developers. It intelligently routes tasks to the most appropriate processor, whether that’s a GPU for demanding computations, an NPU for energy-efficient operations, or a CPU for versatile processing, ensuring each workload gets optimal performance without requiring developers to write complex, hardware-specific code.
While the underlying technology has been in development since its initial introduction for Windows 10 back in 2018, the platform is now mature enough for widespread adoption. Several major software firms, including Adobe, McAfee, and Topaz Labs, participated in testing during the development phase and are now actively integrating Windows ML into their upcoming product releases.
The practical applications are already taking shape. Adobe plans to leverage local NPUs in its Premiere Pro and After Effects software for advanced features like semantic search within video footage, automatic audio tagging, and intelligent scene edit detection. In the security space, McAfee is utilizing the platform to power real-time detection of deepfake videos and online scams on social media platforms. Meanwhile, Topaz Labs has employed Windows ML to develop sophisticated AI-driven image enhancement tools in its Topaz Photo application. By simplifying the integration of artificial intelligence, Microsoft is clearly betting on a new wave of intelligent applications to make its operating system more compelling for users and developers alike.
(Source: The Verge)
