Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11 Pro: The Platform for Hybrid AI Innovation

Organizations everywhere are exploring how artificial intelligence can transform their work. Until recently, most of these journeys depended on cloud-based AI models that are powerful but not always practical. Organizations in healthcare, financial services and other regulated industries, as well as companies concerned about sensitive or proprietary data, couldn’t fully embrace AI because sending information to the cloud wasn’t an option.

Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11 Pro change that equation. They mark the beginning of a new era: hybrid AI computing, where organizations can securely run advanced AI locally while still tapping into the cloud when it makes sense.

For the past few years, large language models have lived primarily in the cloud. That approach required constant connectivity and raised understandable concerns about privacy and data control. The Copilot+ PC solves this challenge by bringing AI computing directly to the device. Each Copilot+ PC includes a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second, the baseline for running AI workloads locally.

On-device AI — enhanced by new capabilities from the Windows AI Foundry — empowers organizations to create the right balance of local and cloud-based AI, depending on their data, users and goals.

For decades, IT leaders have bought PCs based on specs and performance tiers. But as organizations embark on AI transformation, that mindset no longer applies. A Copilot+ PC is more than a productivity tool; it’s an AI investment strategy that positions your organization for what’s next.

Off-the-shelf AI tools can certainly boost efficiency, but true differentiation comes from building AI around your own data. For instance, a heating and cooling company could equip its field technicians with Copilot+ PCs running Phi Silica, a small language model tuned with industry- and company-specific information. A technician could snap a photo of a unit, ask a question and get an accurate answer based on verified documentation.

Windows AI Foundry is the framework built into Copilot+ PCs to enable on-device and hybrid AI. It supports new features at the OS level, enables an expanding ecosystem of intelligent applications and lets customers develop their own solutions. And it does all of that while maintaining enterprise-grade security through Windows 11 Pro and the Microsoft Pluton security processor integrated into the CPU.

First, Windows AI Foundry enables smarter OS experiences out of the box. Windows 11 Pro on Copilot+ PCs delivers AI capabilities the moment users sign in, including real-time translation, Studio Effects for video calls and Recall, a natural language search tool. For instance, asking my device to find “presentations about secured-core PCs” narrowed down the results significantly, so I could spend just five minutes searching instead of 30 minutes. Built-in experiences such as these streamline workflows and introduce AI benefits across the organization from day one.

Windows AI Foundry also supports a thriving ecosystem of AI-ready applications through Microsoft’s partnerships with roughly 100 mainstream commercial applications. We work with independent software vendors to deliver AI-powered features that enhance productivity and security. For example, a security partner created a deepfake detection agent that runs directly on the NPU and improves the response time by 300%. This growing ecosystem extends AI innovation across the tools employees already use while keeping sensitive data on the device.

The greatest opportunity comes from what customers can build themselves. With Windows AI Foundry, organizations can create AI applications that run fully locally or in hybrid mode. Imagine an insurance adjuster taking photos of a damaged vehicle. Local AI models can analyze the images, describe the damage and generate an estimate quickly. That means industries where data privacy is paramount can now securely adopt AI while meeting compliance requirements.

Pluton reinforces that confidence by isolating BitLocker keys, biometric credentials and other sensitive information within the CPU. Because Microsoft can update Pluton through Windows Update, IT management is also simpler.

Copilot+ PCs represent a turning point in how organizations think about computing. They’re not just faster or more efficient devices. They’re the foundation for hybrid AI innovation, where performance, flexibility and security converge. For organizations planning their technology roadmaps over the next several years, Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11 Pro offer a clear advantage: They unlock today’s AI capabilities while preparing teams for what’s next.