Using Copilot+ PC to Enhance Your Creative Workflow with AI

Whether you're starting out as a content creator or an experienced professional, we can all use a little help turning ideas into finished works. Fortunately, we can now use the power of AI-enhanced Copilot+ PCs like the 13" Microsoft Surface Pro, which utilize a dedicated NPU built into their Snapdragon X-series processors, to significantly enhance photography, design, and digital art workflows.

An NPU, short for neural processing unit, is dedicated to handling AI-based workloads, which frees resources for the main CPU and GPU to handle tasks such as running applications and quickly rendering videos. For example, the Snapdragon X Elite's Qualcomm Hexagon NPU can handle up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPs), which powers Windows 11 AI tools such as the Copilot app. Applications such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop can also take advantage of NPUs, with support from other third-party programs on the way.

Converse and Generate Ideas

Think of Copilot app as your personal AI-powered chat assistant who never gets tired or needs to sleep. Instead of mindlessly browsing the internet, looking for inspiration, you could simply press the Copilot key and start a conversation. For example, ask Copilot what to pack for a trip to Mars, and it will list items such as a modern spacesuit, food, and scientific research tools. From there, you can ask the AI to look up specific information on NASA's Artemis program or take the conversation in a completely different direction. You might have some ideas for your next novel before you know it, or at least end up with a couple extra surprise answers on trivia night.

Create Images

An AI feature that probably requires little introduction is the ability to generate images from just a text prompt. However, a Copilot+ PC takes this tool to a new level by integrating the Creator function into the Windows Photos app. A single prompt can generate over a dozen images in seconds, and you can choose to refine your prompt or create variations from a selected picture.

Additionally, you can use the Restyle feature in Windows Photos to artistically transform one of your digital pictures. Turn a portrait photo into a Renaissance-style painting. Or let your imagination go wild with preset themes such as cyberpunk and anime.

Transform Drawings

Photos isn't the only Windows application to get a get an AI features. Co-creator in Windows Paint allows you to turn doodles and loose line drawings into stunning illustrations using text prompts. The 13" Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC is an ideal device for creating content, since it includes a 2880 x 1920 resolution PixelSense Flow Touchscreen, available with OLED or LCD variations, that works with the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2. You can keep the Slim Pen 2 close at hand by storing it in a dedicated slot on the Microsoft Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, which doubles as a tablet cover.

Photo Editing and Enhancement

As of this writing, Windows Photos is expected to receive an update that adds super resolution capabilities. Using the power of AI, you can increase the resolution of old, low-quality images up to 8x without worrying about blurriness or pixelation. With the dedicated NPU, the process of upscaling a photo to 4K will only take a few seconds.

Windows Paint will also be updated with generative fill and erase capabilities. You can use it to remove unwanted objects from a photo. Or insert new elements, like an animal or building, using a text prompt.

Finding Content Fast

Other upcoming features include improvements to Windows Search. Instead of trying to remember file names and folders, you can just type a description of what you're looking for into Search. For instance, typing "BBQ party" will bring up relevant images from your stored files. Best of all, you don't need an internet connection for this AI function to work.

However, probably the most impressive tool will be Recall, which will be a manual opt-in feature that enables the Copilot+ PC to remember almost everything you've viewed by periodically taking a locally stored snapshot of your screen. AI analyzes each of these snapshots and pulls out data from documents, websites, and images. Did you forget what to pack for that trip to Mars? Well, typing "Mars" into Recall brings up a timeline of all the times the word appeared on your screen. All the information will stay locally stored on your Copilot+ PC, and your data will be protected by layers of security, including having Windows Hello confirm your presence.

Future updates will also include the Click to Do function, which is designed to simplify your workflow by placing an interactive overlay on top of your viewed content. This overlay places quick actions over images and text, including performing a visual search through Bing, blurring backgrounds Photos, or removing them in Paint, and more. It can also be used to help you rewrite emails. Simply press the Windows key on your Copilot+ PC and click your mouse to find the Click to Do function in Snipping Tool or Print Screen to get started.

Enhancing Daily Tasks

Getting back to current features, you can use Copilot as an AI assistant to manage your calendar, to-do list, and reminders. It may also be used to enhance your emails for clearer communication and help you search for information on the internet.

You can use Advanced Windows Studio Effects with popular apps such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom to keep you in frame and looking great, even in low-light environments. Complementing it is the Live Captions feature, which can translate spoken words from videos to English in real-time.

For more information about the Copilot+ PC, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the 13" Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ PC. Or drop us a line below, and we'll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.