Tag: Microsofts

Microsoft’s repair-friendly Surface puts other laptop makers on notice – and it’s about time

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 30, 2024
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Microsoft recently unveiled its upcoming Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, and while they’ll be initially targeted towards schools and businesses rather than regular consumers like you and me, the Redmond-based company has a new design ethos that will – hopefully – benefit everyone.

Both new Surface devices have been designed from the ground up with repairability in mind, comprising more replaceable components than ever before and a new focus on improving ease of repair. Internal parts will be marked with QR codes to help easy identification, along with “clear visual icons and built-in repair instructions”, according to Surface general manager Nancie Gaskill.

So why is this important? Well, for starters, I’ve always been a champion of sustainable and repairable hardware; it’s the reason I scored the Framework Chromebook so highly when I reviewed it, despite its high price tag. Giving the user – or, at the very least, third-party vendors – the ability to easily and safely repair electronic devices might not be very attractive from a pure profitability standpoint, but it helps consumers save money in the long run, and it’s good for the planet as well.

The e-waste conundrum

“E-waste”, as it’s called, is a rapidly mounting problem. According to The World Counts, we’ve collectively tossed more than 11 million tonnes of electronics just since the start of 2024 – a staggering, upsetting quantity. In the time it takes me to write this article, another few thousand tonnes will be sent to landfill.

In other words, we’re wasteful – but we don’t have to be. Planned obsolescence in tech hardware has been going on for years, and we’ve all noticed it: home appliances that simply don’t last as long as they used to; phone contracts that push us to upgrade every other year; laptops with short manufacturer warranties and no options for self-repair. Microsoft is taking a stand, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Live counter from The World Counts, showing 11,865,061 tons of e-waste thrown out since the start of 2024.

Well, that’s… not great. (Image credit: The World Counts)

Now, I don’t want to give the tech giant (or any large tech company, really) too much credit here. In fact, cynics could easily argue that Microsoft has an ulterior motive. Back in 2017, tech repair site iFixit gave the original Surface Laptop a zero out of ten score for repairability, claiming that it was “not meant to be opened or repaired”. It also stated that replacing the battery – something that was near-effortless in older laptops, thanks to modular battery units – was “difficult and dangerous”, thus limiting the device’s lifespan.

It seems that Microsoft took this personally; future Surface products were far easier to repair, and the company even teamed up with iFixit to start selling Surface repair tools in 2021. The new Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 are just the latest step for Microsoft, but that doesn’t make that step any less important – and even if Microsoft’s efforts are geared more towards repairing its public image, it’s still a very good thing.

Reduce, reuse, recycle… repair!

There’s nothing more frustrating than when a device breaks, and you can’t get it repaired cheaply and easily. You take it to a repair shop, only to find it can’t do anything. The only option is to send it off to the manufacturer, pray that your warranty is honored, and wait. Let’s be honest: that’s not ideal.

Luckily, Microsoft isn’t alone in this recent push against e-waste. Earlier this year, Lenovo claimed it would make its newest ThinkPad laptops last for longer than ever, forging its own partnership with iFixit. Elsewhere, Acer has been working on its rather excellent line of Vero laptops, with eco-minded devices such as the Aspire Vero 15. And, of course, I couldn’t not mention the Californian company Framework, with its brilliant commitment to repairable, modular laptops. What, I already mentioned those guys? Hell, they’re so good at eco-friendly tech, I’ll mention them twice.

iFixit repair kit and Logitech mice

iFixit’s recent partnership with Logitech has made specialist tools for repairing the brand’s hardware a lot more accessible. (Image credit: Logitech/iFixit)

The question, of course, is this: will it be enough? After all, many heavy hitters in the tech industry are nowhere near Microsoft’s level. Just consider Apple claiming its Apple Watch 9 is “carbon neutral“ – a neat little distortion of reality that fails to address the core causes of e-waste. We’ve been around the block enough to know that “carbon credits” are a sham, and “greenwashing” has become an ugly issue among multinational corporations.

Still, I don’t want to be too much of a Negative Nancy here. Every step towards truly sustainable tech is a worthwhile one, no matter how small. Microsoft, I commend you… but you might want to stop killing the planet with AI, too.

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Tags laptop, makers, Microsofts, notice, puts, repairfriendly, Surface, Time

Featured

Microsoft’s dimming tech for displays might do more harm than good

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 27, 2024
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A new patent from Microsoft has popped up, revealing a concept called Pixel Luminesce for Digital Display technology. This product would, theoretically, allow users to control every pixel on a display, essentially allowing you to selectively dim your display based on preferences and needs.

Though this concept sounds like an accessibility dream for those who suffer from sight issues, light sensitivity, and other disorders, it could also be a case of technology that’s mostly too good to be true.

According to the patent (and reported by Windows Report), individual pixels would be controlled by a part called an EM gate driver. It sends the pixels a signal to control how bright or dim they are, and then a luminance controller tells the EM gate drivers to send another kind of signal called a pulse-width modulated signal to the rows of pixels.

Since the signals could alternate between off and on, it could allow for one part of the display to be brighter while another could be at default brightness or darker. This could also allow other features like color accuracy, refresh rate, and even power consumption to be adjusted as needed.

Dimming technology may not be ready to see the light

However, there are several possible drawbacks to this technology that could severely affect the display. First, the actual benefits would be restricted to LCD monitors since OLED and QLED can already produce true black local dimming. Second, constantly altering pixel brightness could negatively impact the overall lifespan of your display, by decreasing it.

Because of this, if Microsoft were still planning this device, it would be difficult to make it work well enough to justify it, especially for such a limited amount of display types.

There is one bit of good news, and it’s that the Pixel Luminesce for Digital Display can work if you’re willing to be a bit more flexible on what can make proper use of it. Gaming laptop displays are ideal for this dimming technology, as the EM gate driver needs local processing to function. A display with dimming couldn’t use an HDMI connection but instead a USB-C with datastream as well as display throughput. A laptop display, however, completely bypasses this requirement thanks to its local processing.

This patent isn’t a product set in manufacturing stone, but one that could possibly happen. If it does, though, there are too many setbacks involved when using a separate monitor that would outweigh the positives. Only if it’s reconsidered for a laptop display could the concept succeed, but even then OLED and QLED are already on the market, meaning there’s very little return on investment.

We reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update this article if there is anything new to report.

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Tags dimming, Displays, Good, harm, Microsofts, Tech

Entertainment

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are here, but you won’t find them in stores

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 21, 2024
No Comments on Microsoft’s Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are here, but you won’t find them in stores

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Two devices conspicuously missing from Microsoft’s Surface and AI event last fall are finally here — and they’re both what we expected and a bit surprising. Today, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, sporting the same designs as the previous models but now with the AI smarts of Intel’s new Core Ultra CPUs. You won’t be able to buy them at Best Buy, Target or any other retailer selling Surface Devices, though. Both of these computers have the foreboding words “for business” attached to their names, so you’ll only be able to buy them from the Microsoft’s website or commercial resellers.

If you’re a bit baffled by this, you’re not alone. It almost seems like Microsoft is gearing up to leave the consumer PC market, but a spokesperson tells us that’s not the case. “We absolutely remain committed to consumer devices,” they said in a statement. “Building great devices that people love to use aligns closely with our company mission to empower individuals as well as organizations. We are excited to be bringing devices to market that deliver great AI experiences to our customers. This commercial announcement is only the first part of this effort.”

Microsoft Surface Pro 10 for Business — Microsoft

It sounds like new consumer hardware is on the way eventually, but keeping two long-awaited devices out of retailers doesn’t inspire confidence. Alongside the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Laptop Go 3 last year, Microsoft also quietly revealed the Surface Go 4 for business, aiming that budget tablet towards enterprise and education customers. That wasn’t exactly a death sentence for that machine, but it did kill much of the buzz we typically see when new Surface hardware arrives.

So what does all of this mean for the Surface Pro 10 for business and the Surface Laptop 6 for business? For diehard fans of Microsoft’s PCs, they offer some notable upgrades alongside those new Intel Core Ultra chips, but they’ll be a bit harder to buy than before. The average consumer likely won’t even realize they exist, especially since older Surface hardware will still be at Best Buy and other retailers.

Let’s dive into what’s new: The Surface Pro 10 comes with the Core Ultra 5 135U or Ultra 7 165U CPU, and it can be equipped with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. While its tablet case is the same as before, Microsoft also shoved in a new 1,440p webcam with an incredibly wide 114-degree field of view. Microsoft calls this an AI enhanced camera, but that just means it can tap into Windows Studio effects using the Core Ultra’s NPU for AI workloads.

Microsoft Surface Pro 10 1,440p webcam — The Surface Pro 10’s 1,440p webcam. (Microsoft)

The Surface Laptop 6, once again, comes in 13.5-inch and 15-inch models and can be equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and Ultra 7 165H CPUs. Those chips are far more powerful than the U-variant options in the Surface Pro 6, so they’re better options for more demanding tasks. (The 14-inch Surface Laptop Studio 2 remains the most powerful Microsoft laptop, but its not an AI PC since its 13th-gen Intel CPU doesn’t have an NPU.) The Laptop 6 can also be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. It offers more graphics options than its tablet sibling: The 8GB RAM model has plain Intel graphics, but if you go for more memory you’ll get Intel’s more powerful Arc graphics.

Oddly, the Surface Laptop 6 doesn’t share the Pro 10’s sharp new camera, it’s stuck with a 1080p HD option instead. If, for some reason, you need to use smart cards regularly, you can also configure the Laptop 6 with a built-in smart card reader. (But still no SD card slot? Come on, Microsoft.)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 Copilot Key — Microsoft

Both the Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 also come with a new Copilot key, which we’ve also seen on Dell’s new XPS laptops and a few other AI PCs. I haven’t found the key particularly useful on other systems, but at this point Microsoft is so committed to putting its Copilot AI everywhere that it would be embarrassing not to have it on new Surface machines.

Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 10 is 53 percent faster than the Pro 9 in the 3DMark TimeSpy benchmark, while the Surface Laptop 6 is twice as fast as the previous model. (That’s mostly due to Intel’s beefier Arc graphics.) These aren’t machines you’d want to rush out to buy if you have a Pro 9 or Laptop 5, but thanks to the AI-powered Intel CPU and refined webcam, the Surface Pro 10 could be a compelling leap forward if you have an older Surface tablet.

While it’s unclear if focusing on business users will actually pay off for Microsoft, the Surface Laptop 6 and Pro 10 are a sign that the company is still trying to make a mark in the PC market. If anything, though, we’re more intrigued by what Microsoft has cooking next for consumers. By shoving its aging tablet and laptop design towards corporate users, the company may have room to innovate a bit more. Perhaps we’ll actually see a Surface foldable PC this year?

The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business are available for pre-order today starting at $1,200 each. They’ll begin shipping out to customers on April 9th.

Catch up on all the news from the Microsoft Surface and AI event right here!

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Tags Find, laptop, Microsofts, Pro, stores, Surface, Wont

Featured

Microsoft’s Handheld PC plan is the next chapter of Xbox brand

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 16, 2024
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Current public perception of Microsoft within the console wars paints the Windows developer as a unique loser.

Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S sales comparisons to Sony’s peaking PlayStation hardware aside, it’s interesting to see how both gaming rivals approach PC gaming. Going as far back as the formation of their PC table, we’ve seen Sony trickle down first-party developed games from Horizon Zero Dawn to the current successful dual-platform release of Helldivers 2. It even makes sense for the PSVR2 to eventually add PCVR support as that platform has been notably dormant since launching last year.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has continued to make PC Gaming the core of its strategy once Game Pass hits PC in 2019. Between cross-play, cross-progression, cloud capabilities and respectable rotation of third-party games outside of first-party exclusives, the monthly subscription service has become a standard as the “Netflix for games.”

While Sony navigates their way through the PC gaming market, Microsoft has made Windows core to the Xbox’s brand DNA since the beginnings via Direct X. One could say that Xbox has been significantly more pro-consumer than Sony when it comes to gaming on desktops, laptops and the rise of handhelds more recently.

Where PC gaming handhelds fit within Microsoft’s strategy

As both rivals place various focuses on PC Gaming, hardware has evolved and changed following the release of both Nintendo’s Switch and Valve’s Steam Deck. Though Nintendo’s hybrid gaming console uses a proprietary operating system, its chipset comes from Nvidia.

On the other hand, the Steam Deck is an AMD chipset-based device that runs SteamOS but can be easily modified to run Windows. This allowed the user’s gaming library to be extended outside of Steam’s system to allow the usage of GamePass or other launchers like Epic Games.

The potential for Microsoft really opened following the release of Asus ROG Ally which came packed in with Windows 11. Through Gamepass, it’s the best way to play big-budget AAA titles like Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Halo Infinite and the like on the go alongside Steam.

Sure, GamePass Ultimate does have a cloud service that allows users to stream games. However, playing games natively is the better way to go. When The Verge asked Xbox boss Phil Spencer about the possibility of an Xbox Handheld, he gave praise to Nintendo for the success of the Switch but called himself a big fan of the Ally and Legion Go. Most importantly, he said the company has to do “real work” when it comes to those handheld gaming PCs.

“One of the weak points in the experience on a ROG or the Lenovo [Legion Go] is Windows” Spencer said. “How Windows works on controller input only on that kind of DPI, on a smaller eight- or seven-inch screen. That’s a real design point that our platform team is working with Windows to make sure that the experience is even better.”

The interview was released around the much-talked-about Official Xbox Podcast. It came after many questioned the future of Xbox within the console hardware business.

During that time, Microsoft Gaming executives also announced that Game Pass hit 34 million subscribers. That number also includes Game Pass Core subscribers who make up old Xbox Live Gold customers. Those subscribers should grow as Microsoft releases new games through its first-party studio roster that’s grown significantly since acquiring Activision Blizzard.

With various YouTube videos demonstrating how to install Windows on the Steam Deck that are in the 50K plus view range, it’s clear Microsoft knows it has to be better in the space for the long-term sustainability of Game Pass.

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Tags Brand, chapter, handheld, Microsofts, Plan, Xbox

Entertainment

Microsoft’s Copilot now blocks some prompts that generated violent and sexual images

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date March 9, 2024
No Comments on Microsoft’s Copilot now blocks some prompts that generated violent and sexual images

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appears to have blocked several prompts in its tool that led the generative AI tool to spit out violent, sexual and other illicit images. The changes seem to have been implemented just after an engineer at the company to lay out severe concerns he had with Microsoft’s GAI tech.

When entering terms such as “pro choice,” “four twenty” (a weed reference) or “pro life,” Copilot now displays a message saying those prompts are blocked. It warns that repeated policy violations could lead to a user being suspended, according to .

Users were also reportedly able to enter prompts related to children playing with assault rifles until earlier this week. Those who try to input such a prompt now may be told that doing so violates Copilot’s ethical principles as well as Microsoft’s policies. “Please do not ask me to do anything that may harm or offend others,” Copilot reportedly says in response. However, CNBC found that it was still possible to generate violent imagery through prompts such as “car accident,” while users can still convince the AI to create images of Disney characters and other copyrighted works.

Microsoft engineer Shane Jones has been about the kinds of images Microsoft’s OpenAI-powered systems were generating. He had been testing Copilot Designer since December and determined that it output images that violated Microsoft’s responsible AI principles even while using relatively benign prompts. For instance, he found that the prompt “pro-choice” led to the AI creating images of things like demons eating infants and Darth Vader holding a drill to a baby’s head. He wrote to the FTC and Microsoft’s board of directors about his concerns this week.

“We are continuously monitoring, making adjustments and putting additional controls in place to further strengthen our safety filters and mitigate misuse of the system,” Microsoft told CNBC regarding the Copilot prompt bans.

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Tags blocks, Copilot, generated, images, Microsofts, prompts, sexual, Violent

News

How to use Microsoft’s Copilot Pro AI assistant – Beginners Guide

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date January 18, 2024
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Microsoft Copilot Pro AI assistant - Beginners Guide

Microsoft has unveiled a new subscription service called Copilot Pro, which is set to transform the way individual users interact with their Microsoft 365 applications. At a cost of $20 per month, this service integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into familiar tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, aiming to boost productivity for personal and family subscription holders.

Copilot Pro is built around advanced AI models, including GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, which are now available within the Microsoft 365 suite. This means that users can access AI-powered assistance directly within the applications they use daily. While the service is designed for individual users, family plan members can also access it for an additional fee.

One of the standout features of Copilot Pro is its inclusion of DALL-E, an AI that enhances your ability to generate images. With Copilot Pro, users can create up to 100 images per day, a significant increase from the standard offering. This allows for greater creativity and variety in visual projects. Copilot Pro also enables you to add AI to your favorite Microsoft 365 apps to help you unlock your creativity, communicate with confidence and up-level your digital skills. Here is a quick overview of the differences between the free version Copilot and the paid version Copilot Pro.

Copilot vs Copilot Pro

Copilot

Use Copilot on the web and in Windows, macOS and iPadOS
Access GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during non-peak times
Use text, voice and images in conversational search
Create AI images with 15 boosts per day with Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator)
Use plug-ins and GPTs

Copilot Pro

Copilot Pro is a subscription that offers accelerated performance, faster AI image creation and access to Copilot in Word, Excel (Preview), PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote if you are also a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriber.
Gain priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo including during peak times for accelerated performance to get things done faster
Access Copilot in selected Microsoft 365 apps to draft documents, summarise emails, create presentations and more
Create AI images with DALL-E 3 in landscape format even faster with 100 boosts per day with Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator)

Copilot Pro AI assistant

The integration of Copilot Pro with Microsoft 365 apps is seamless. In Word, users can rewrite text, visualize data, and summarize documents with ease using a conversational sidebar. PowerPoint users can generate entire presentations from simple prompts, and Excel’s AI provides assistance with data analysis and formula suggestions. For those using Outlook, the service offers advanced drafting tools and email coaching to improve communication skills.

To use Copilot Pro, you must have an active Microsoft 365 personal or family subscription. The service is user-friendly, offering a range of conversational styles and the option to choose from different GPT models to suit your specific needs.

For those who are deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Copilot Pro is an essential tool. It leverages AI for a variety of tasks, including document creation, data analysis, and communication, with the goal of significantly enhancing efficiency and productivity. Microsoft expends a little more about the Copilot Pro subscription service

What is priority access?

There is dedicated capacity exclusively for the use of Copilot Pro subscribers. Additionally, during peak usage times, Copilot Pro subscribers will continue to have access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo whereas users of the free Copilot experience may be limited to GPT 3.5 as needed.

What are boosts in Copilot?

Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator) in Copilot gives you the ability to generate AI images. Boosts refer to the number of turns you have to create images faster. Copilot gives you 15 daily boosts for image generation and in Copilot Pro you get 100 daily boosts for image generation. Boosts do not refer to the number of images you can generate.

How many people can use a Copilot Pro subscription?

Copilot Pro is for one person. If you have a Microsoft 365 Family subscription and have shared your subscription with other people, each will need to buy their own Copilot Pro subscription to use Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps.

Does Copilot Pro work with a Microsoft 365 Business subscription?

Copilot Pro will not unlock access to Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps if you have a Microsoft 365 Business subscription (i.e. Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business). To use Copilot with a Microsoft 365 Business subscription, buy Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Where is Copilot Pro available?

Copilot Pro is currently available in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. Microsoft plan to make Copilot Pro available in more markets soon.

Which languages does Copilot Pro support?

Copilot Pro supports English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. We plan to add more languages soon. Learn more about Copilot support languages.

Where can I access Copilot Pro?

You can access Copilot Pro via the Copilot app on the web, Windows, macOS and iPadOS. On those platforms, you can also use Copilot Pro benefits in apps like Bing, Edge and Start. Support for iOS and Android is coming soon.

Where can I buy Copilot Pro?

You can buy Copilot Pro from the official Microsoft website and Apple AppStore (iPad and Mac only). We plan to add more ways to buy soon.

How do I manage my Copilot Pro subscription?

You can manage your Copilot Pro subscription within the Microsoft account portal.

How does Copilot Pro work with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription?

You can use your Copilot Pro subscription to unlock Copilot in selected Microsoft 365 apps if you also have a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription. These apps include Word, Excel (Preview), PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. The Copilot experience in Excel is currently in preview and only supports the English language. You can access Copilot in these Microsoft 365 apps on Windows, and soon on macOS and iPadOS. Support for iPhone and Android is coming soon. For OneNote users Copilot Pro benefits will only be visible in Windows.

Overall, Microsoft’s Copilot Pro is a sophisticated AI subscription service that adds a layer of personalized assistance to the Microsoft 365 experience. Whether you’re working on documents, analyzing data, creating presentations, or managing emails, Copilot Pro is designed to help you accomplish more with less effort. To learn more about Microsoft Copilot and the new artificial intelligence added jump over to the official support site.

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Tags Assistant, Beginners, Copilot, Guide, Microsofts, Pro

News

Microsoft’s Orca-2 13B small language model outperforms 70B AI

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date November 29, 2023
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Microsoft's Orca-2 13B small language model beats 70B alternatives

Microsoft has recently released a new research paper for its next generation Orca-2 AI model. Demonstrating that the power of artificial intelligence is not just reserved for the largest and most complex systems, but also thrives within more compact and accessible frameworks. Microsoft has made a bold stride in this direction with the introduction of Orca-2, a language model that challenges the prevailing notion that bigger always means better. This new development is particularly intriguing for those who are passionate about AI and seek to push the boundaries of what these systems can do.

Microsoft’s research paper, titled “Orca-2: Teaching Small Language Models How to Reason,” presents a fascinating exploration into how smaller models, like Orca-2, can be trained to enhance their reasoning abilities. With only 13 billion parameters, Orca-2 stands as a testament to the idea that the quality of training can significantly influence a model’s reasoning prowess. This is a crucial insight for anyone interested in the potential of smaller models to perform complex tasks that were once thought to be the exclusive domain of their larger counterparts. Microsoft explains a little more:

“Orca 2 is the latest step in our efforts to explore the capabilities of smaller LMs (on the order of 10 billion parameters or less). With Orca 2, we continue to show that improved training signals and methods can empower smaller language models to achieve enhanced reasoning abilities, which are typically found only in much larger language models.”

One of the most compelling aspects of Orca-2 is its ability to outperform models with up to 70 billion parameters in reasoning tasks. This is a testament to Microsoft’s innovative approach and is particularly relevant for those working within computational constraints or seeking more efficient AI solutions. The benchmark results of Orca-2 highlight the model’s proficiency in reasoning, which is a key element of advanced language comprehension.

Orca-2 small language model

Orca 2 comes in two sizes (7 billion and 13 billion parameters); both are created by fine-tuning the corresponding LLAMA 2 base models on tailored, high-quality synthetic data. We are making the Orca 2 weights publicly available to encourage research on the development, evaluation, and alignment of smaller LMs.

Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of artificial intelligence

Microsoft Orca-2

In a move that underscores their commitment to collaborative progress in AI, Microsoft has made Orca-2’s model weights available to the open-source community. This allows enthusiasts and researchers alike to tap into this state-of-the-art technology, integrate it into their own projects, and contribute to the collective advancement of AI.

The research paper goes beyond traditional imitation learning and introduces alternative training methods that endow Orca-2 with a variety of reasoning strategies. These methods enable the model to adapt to different tasks, indicating a more sophisticated approach to AI training. For those delving into the intricacies of AI, this represents an opportunity to explore new training paradigms that could redefine how we teach machines to think.

Orca-2’s training on a carefully constructed synthetic dataset has led to remarkable benchmark performances. This means that the model has been honed through strategic data use, ensuring its effectiveness and adaptability in real-world applications. For practitioners, this translates to a model that is not only powerful but also versatile in handling various scenarios.

The licensing terms for Orca-2 are tailored to emphasize its research-oriented nature. This is an important factor to consider when planning to utilize the model, as it supports a research-focused development environment and guides the application of Orca-2 in various projects.

Microsoft has also provided detailed instructions for setting up Orca-2 on a local machine. This allows users to tailor the model to their specific needs and gain a deeper understanding of its inner workings. Whether you’re a developer, researcher, or AI enthusiast, this level of customization is invaluable for exploring the full capabilities of Orca-2.

Microsoft’s Orca-2 represents a significant advancement for compact language models, offering enhanced reasoning capabilities that challenge the dominance of larger models. Engaging with Orca-2—whether through open-source collaboration, innovative training techniques, or research initiatives—places you at the forefront of a transformative period in AI development. Microsoft’s Orca-2 not only broadens the horizons for what smaller models can accomplish but also invites you to play an active role in this exciting field.

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Tags 13B, 70B, language, Microsofts, model, Orca2, outperforms, Small

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How to create a web user interface for Microsoft’s Autogen

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date November 23, 2023
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build a web user interface for Microsoft's Autogen

Wouldn’t it be great if you’re complex tasks were managed effortlessly by a team of digital assistants, each one communicating and collaborating to make your workday smoother. Microsoft Autogen is at the heart of this scenario, a framework designed to streamline intricate processes by coordinating these assistant-like agents.

The magic of Autogen truly shines when it’s paired with a user-friendly web-based interface, transforming the way we interact with these digital helpers. This article will guide you through the steps to enhance Autogen’s user experience, making it more intuitive and engaging by using the Panel Python library to craft a superior interface.

The journey to an enhanced Autogen experience starts with the recognition of the importance of a web UI. A well-designed UI can transform the way agents’ outputs are presented, making it easier for users to follow conversations and interact with the system. By integrating a web UI, you’re setting the stage to create a visually appealing interface that efficiently conveys information and encourages user interaction.

Autogen supports various conversation patterns for agents, such as group chats and hierarchical dialogues, which are crucial for mimicking real-life communication dynamics. With a web UI, these patterns become more organized and user-friendly, allowing users to effortlessly navigate the flow of conversation among agents.

Building a web UI for Autogen

Other articles you may find of interest on the subject of Microsoft’s AutoGen :

Autogen is equipped with a range of program templates that are ready to use, which accelerates your development process. Its compatibility with different frameworks and methodologies enhances agent functionality. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor the Autogen environment to meet the specific needs of your project while maintaining strong functionality.

Panel, a Python library known for its dashboard and interactive web app features, is an excellent tool for data professionals. With the latest version of Panel, you gain access to chat components that are ideal for creating a chatbot-style interface for Autogen. This interface skillfully handles multi-agent conversations, with each agent’s responses clearly identified by customizable names and avatars.

To create a simple chatbot interface using Panel, you need to ensure that Panel is installed or updated to the latest version. Then, import and set up widget styles to customize the look of your chat components. Next, use Panel’s chat components to put together the chat interface. Finally, design a callback function that processes user inputs and integrates responses into the conversation interface.

Setting up an AutoGen Web UI:

1. Install the Autogen package and select an appropriate project from Autogen’s repository, such as the group chat research initiative.
2. Set up the language model, like GPT-4 Turbo, to enable automatic response generation.
3. Define the roles of chat participants and adjust their autonomy as needed.
4. Combine these roles into a chat manager that oversees the conversation.
5. Implement Panel’s chat interface with a callback function that manages user questions.
6. Use print functions to display messages from each agent in real-time, complete with unique avatars.

The final step is to launch the server and interact with the chat interface. This interaction results in a more readable and engaging output from Autogen, which may include code snippets, tables, and a clear sequence of conversation. By following these steps, you will have successfully improved the readability of Microsoft Autogen’s output, creating an interactive and user-focused web UI that maximizes the capabilities of the framework.

The beauty of this integration lies in the seamless blend of Autogen’s intelligent agent orchestration with the user-centric design of a web UI. Users can now enjoy a more natural and efficient way to monitor and engage with the system, as the interface brings a level of clarity and accessibility that was previously unattainable. The Panel library serves as the bridge between the complex backend processes and the user, presenting a chatbot interface that feels familiar and easy to use.

Benefits of creating a web user interface for AutoGen

Enhanced User Experience: The web UI, especially when designed thoughtfully, makes interacting with Autogen more intuitive and engaging. This ease of use is crucial for users who may not be technically savvy. The UI transforms complex AI interactions into a format that’s more familiar and accessible, akin to everyday web browsing.
Organized Conversation Patterns: Autogen’s ability to support various conversation patterns, like group chats or hierarchical dialogues, is vital for simulating real-world communication. A web UI can present these patterns in a more organized and user-friendly manner, allowing users to navigate conversations more easily and intuitively.
Visual Appeal and Clarity: A web interface can present information in a visually appealing way, making it easier for users to understand and follow the flow of information. This visual clarity is especially important when dealing with complex data or conversation threads.
Real-Time Interaction and Responsiveness: With a web UI, interactions with the AI system become real-time. This immediacy is critical in today’s fast-paced environment where delays can impact productivity and user satisfaction.
Flexibility and Customization: Autogen’s compatibility with various frameworks and its range of program templates offer flexibility. This adaptability is further enhanced by the web UI, which can be customized to meet specific user needs and preferences, fostering a more personalized experience.
Streamlined Development Process: Using tools like the Panel Python library in the web UI development simplifies the process of creating and modifying the user interface. This efficiency is beneficial for developers, allowing them to focus on core functionalities rather than UI complexities.
Enhanced Functionality with Interactive Components: The use of interactive components, such as chat widgets in the Panel library, can significantly enhance the functionality of the UI. These components allow for dynamic, two-way interactions between users and the AI, making the experience more engaging and efficient.
Accessibility and Engagement: A well-crafted web UI can make Autogen’s capabilities more accessible to a broader audience, including those who might not have deep technical expertise. This inclusivity can lead to higher engagement and more widespread adoption.
Better Representation of Output: The web UI can present Autogen’s outputs, such as code snippets or data tables, in a more readable and structured manner. This clarity helps users to understand and utilize the information more effectively.
Innovation and Experimentation: The integration of Autogen with a customizable web UI encourages innovation. Developers can experiment with different UI designs and functionalities, leading to novel ways of interacting with AI systems.

The chat components provided by Panel are not just about aesthetics; they are about functionality. They allow for real-time messaging, where each agent’s contribution to the conversation is instantly visible, making the dialogue dynamic and responsive. This real-time interaction is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity in today’s fast-paced digital environment, where delays can hinder productivity and user satisfaction.

Moreover, the adaptability of Autogen’s templates and the compatibility with various frameworks mean that developers can focus on creating solutions that are tailored to their unique requirements without being constrained by the toolset. This flexibility is crucial for innovation and efficiency, as it allows developers to experiment and iterate quickly, finding the best approach for their specific context.

The integration of Autogen and Panel is more than just a technical exercise; it’s about enhancing the user experience. It’s about taking the powerful capabilities of Autogen and making them accessible to a wider audience. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or someone who’s just getting started with digital assistants, the improved interface will make your interactions with Autogen more enjoyable and productive.

As you embark on this journey of enhancing Autogen’s interface, remember that the goal is to create a space where users can effortlessly communicate with digital agents, where the complexity of the underlying technology is masked by a simple, clean, and engaging UI. The Panel library is your toolkit, and Microsoft’s Autogen is your canvas. Together, they offer a powerful combination that can transform the way we interact with technology, making our digital experiences more human, more intuitive, and ultimately, more effective.

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How to use AI Copilot in Microsoft’s Loop collaboration platform

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date November 17, 2023
No Comments on How to use AI Copilot in Microsoft’s Loop collaboration platform

Microsoft Loop, enhanced by its new feature Copilot, is a modern tool designed to improve how teams work together. It’s made up of three main parts: components, pages, and workspaces. Components are bits of content like lists or notes that stay updated no matter where you use them, whether it’s in an email, a document, or a chat. This means you’re always working with the most current information. Loop pages are like digital whiteboards where you can put together all your components, tasks, and data. These pages can grow as your project does, making it easy to keep everything in one place. Workspaces in Loop are shared areas where your team can see and organize everything that’s important for your project, helping everyone stay on track and up-to-date.

Copilot in Microsoft Loop is a special tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help teams work better. It can suggest ideas and help start projects, making it easier to get going when you’re stuck. Copilot is versatile and can do things like draft texts, create tables, generate code for tech projects, and even answer questions quickly. This is great for saving time and making work more efficient. To use these advanced features of Copilot, you need a Microsoft account.

How to use Microsoft Loop Copilot

Take, for instance, the scenario of organizing a company event. Copilot in Microsoft Loop simplifies this process by assisting in the creation of digital invitations. You can input basic information about the event, and Copilot will use its AI capabilities to draft an invitation that looks professional and is ready to send. This saves you the time and effort typically involved in designing and wording an invitation.

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Furthermore, Copilot can also help in setting up a registration table for the event. Imagine you need to keep track of who is attending and what each person is bringing or contributing. Copilot can quickly create a digital table where attendees can sign up and add their information. This table can be shared with your team or the entire company, making coordination much easier. While Copilot does a great job in setting these up, you might sometimes need to make small adjustments. This is where its editing features come in handy, allowing you to customize the output to better fit your specific event or company culture.

Microsoft Loop collaboration platform

Another significant advantage of using Microsoft Loop is its ability to keep information in sync across different platforms. If you update a component in one application, that change is automatically reflected across all other applications where that component is used. This feature is incredibly useful for maintaining consistency in collaborative projects and ensures that everyone in the team has the most up-to-date information, no matter where they are working from.

Copilot also boasts a summarization feature, which is particularly useful when dealing with large amounts of data or lengthy documents. For instance, if you’ve collected extensive feedback from a recent project or event, Copilot can condense this information into a concise summary. This makes it easier to review key points and make informed decisions without having to sift through pages of text.

Seamless integration with other Microsoft products

Moreover, Copilot is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft products, enhancing their functionality. This integration means that you can use Copilot within familiar environments like Microsoft Teams, Outlook, or Word, making the transition to using this new tool smoother and more intuitive.

Microsoft Loop, with its Copilot feature, offers a versatile and innovative solution for team collaboration and individual productivity. Whether it’s for drafting documents, organizing data efficiently, generating code for technical projects, or quickly answering queries, Copilot provides a range of capabilities that can significantly transform how you work. With a Microsoft account and a Copilot license, these advanced features become accessible, streamlining your work processes and enhancing overall productivity in a collaborative environment.

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