As part of its latest Developer Day event, Microsoft announced a new AI platform coming in the next version of Windows 10. While Microsoft already uses AI in a number of smaller ways across Windows, the company says its AI platform will give developers the tools to easily take advantage of AI and machine learning with their apps.
The AI platform will allow developers to tap into pre-trained machine learning models to bring AI smarts to their apps using the new Windows ML API. Further, the platform allows developers to move AI processing to be performed locally, rather than shifting the workload to the cloud. This will allow for real-time analysis using the local device's own hardware, which could cut down on latency, as well as server costs and bandwidth.
Windows ML will eventually be enabled across all Windows 10 versions, and it will work with Universal Windows Platform and Win32 apps, Microsoft says. Additionally, Windows ML will be supported across a range of device families and types, including PCs, HoloLens, servers, and eventually even Xbox One. Microsoft's AI acceleration efforts are bolstered by partnerships with hardware makers, including Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and AMD. In particular, Intel says it is working with Microsoft to enable Windows ML support for its Movidius Myriad X Vision Processing Unit (VPU), a system-on-chip built specifically to handle AI and deep learning tasks.
"Our ML model evaluation is tuned for efficiency across the diverse silicon that runs Windows," said Kam VedBrat, Group Program Manager for the Windows AI Team. "By using instruction set optimizations on modern CPUs, hardware acceleration on GPUs that support DirectX 12, and a driver model for purpose-built AI processors in the future, we deliver performance and efficiency on the broadest range of form factors."
In addition to the Windows AI Platform, Microsoft says that Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX), an open format for machine learning models, will get added support with Visual Studio. With Visual Studio Preview 15.7, developers can now load ONNX files in UWP projects, allowing it to automatically generate a model for the project.
For more, from the latest Developer Day, you can follow along with Microsoft's live stream.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Update 6: Microsoft wants all of TikTok, but Trump's order may interfere
The Financial Times reports that as part of negotiations, Microsoft is now inquiring whether it can buy all of TikTok, instead of just the business in the US., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This new plan would include India and Europe (and excluding China).
Surface Duo and double Dans take over this week's Android Central podcast
Need even more Surface Duo in your life? Check out the latest Android Central podcast, in which Daniel Rubino and Daniel Bader (double the Dans!) discuss Surface Duo, Microsoft's Samsung love affair, and Project xCloud.
This is the best Windows 10 tablet you can buy right now
There are many Windows 10 tablets on the market, but it's hard to sort through the rubbish. Here's our picks for the best Windows 10 tablets you can buy right now. At the top of our list is the Surface Pro X, which we think is the best due to its ARM processor, large display, and thin form factor while still packing good battery life and excellent performance.
10 must-have apps for any new PC
You just purchased a new PC and set it up, and now you're looking for some great apps. Look no further. These are the best apps for your new Windows 10 PC.