Microsoft Launches AI Plugin Ecosystem. Apple remains silent?
In the AI arms race, Microsoft continues to innovate with copilot, while Apple appears to be falling behind. Here are some of the latest developments.
Created on May 23|Last edited on May 24
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In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, it's becoming hard to recall a time when software lacked internet connectivity. Soon, we might find it equally baffling to remember software without intelligent copilot assistance, according to Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s Chief Technology Officer.
A copilot application leverages AI and large language models to assist in complex cognitive tasks — from crafting a compelling sales pitch, creating dynamic presentation images, to planning an engaging themed dinner party.
Copilots
As the first implementation of a “copilot” product, GitHub Copilot is an AI assistant that aids developers in writing code. This year, Microsoft integrated copilot experiences across many other of its products and services, transforming everything from the AI-powered chat in Bing to Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot X, Dynamics 365 Copilot, and more.
At the annual Build developers conference, Microsoft announced a significant expansion of its copilot ecosystem, adding the likes of Copilot in Power BI, Copilot in Power Pages, Copilot in Microsoft Fabric, and Windows Copilot, all of which are set for preview in the coming months. Microsoft is also integrating Bing into ChatGPT as the default search experience. Furthermore, the tech giant is launching new features to help developers create their own copilots and next-gen AI applications.
Plugins
The expanded plugin ecosystem facilitates interoperability across Microsoft’s copilot offerings, which means developers can now use one platform to build plugins that work across various business and consumer interfaces, which include ChatGPT, Bing, Dynamics 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Windows Copilot.
The plugins can act as a bridge between a large language model trained on public internet data and a company's private data. This bridge enables the copilot to access and utilize those files when responding to a company employee's query, and developers can create their own applications built for specific business use cases. For instance, a developer at a company might want Microsoft 365 Copilot to access the company’s contracts with customers and vendors to answer queries about past legal issues.
This requires the developer to connect the Microsoft 365 Copilot with the private database of legal files. Adding plugins will expedite the development of new applications with OpenAI Services and will provide access to OpenAI’s models, including GPT-4, and is currently serving more than 4,500 companies.
Where is Apple?
As we look forward, copilot applications are likely to become a standard feature in our software tools, revolutionizing our interaction with technology. While Microsoft is charging ahead in AI, it remains to be seen whether Apple can accelerate its efforts to ensure it doesn't get left behind in this critical time.
Looking back on software trends, it seems Apples App Store was one of Steve Jobs most lucrative innovations that allowed Apple to strive after over a decade, and it seems like a similar trend may be taking place as Microsoft gives developers the ability to build apps around the core Microsoft infrastructure, similar to how Apple has with the App Store.
One has to wonder whether this poses a threat to Apple, as it seems this new generation of software seems to be outside of Apples current product line entirely. If Apple is unable to adapt quickly, it’s likely that many customers will opt for Microsoft services that enable usage of well integrated AI assistants. Only time will tell, and perhaps we may find out more in Apples WWDC event next month?
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