At the moment, Microsoft is obsessed with implementing artificial intelligence into every aspect of its operating system. During your last event we have seen Copilot+, a set of new features coming to Windows 11. One of the most notable and interesting is “Cocreator”, which will be integrated within the application Paint, although to function it requires specific dedicated hardware.
All new Microsoft Copilot+ features require so-called NPU (Neural Processing Unit). These are a new type of core in Intel and AMD processors intended exclusively for artificial intelligence.
Although these cores are still beginning to be integrated into new generations of processors, we already see that they will be essential. It responds more to Microsoft’s requirement, not to a real need or demand on the part of the user.
Create great images in Paint thanks to AI
Surely you have once said that “with a 6 and a 4, I draw your portrait.” This simple interpretation of what a face would be, could now be converted into a face thanks to AI. Using Paint’s “Cocreator” we could draw both numbers in the correct position and thus obtain a face (maybe).
You might be thinking about the Design feature or the existing Image Creator feature in the Paint app. The truth is that this new function called “Cocreator” is quite different.
To begin with, “Cocreator” is a plugin that works locally on our computer. Using this function does not require an internet connection to generate these images. Now, generating this image is much simpler and faster than before. Note that Paint will now have three functions, such as: image creator, co-creator and layers.
During the presentation, Microsoft demoed the “Cocreator” feature on a Surface Pro, which has a touch screen. The one presented integrates a prompt and then makes a really simple drawing, a kind of basic interpretation of what we want to obtain. Thanks to the prompt and the simple shapes introduced, a more detailed image has been generated using “Cocreator”.
The tool offers us different levels of AI creativity while generating images. A slider is included to improve image quality.
The NPUs integrated within the processor are responsible for generating these images. Although the processor is not specified, it will surely be an Intel Core, which is the only one on the market that integrates these cores.
Photos receives the Restyle Image function
Additionally, the Photos app built into Windows 11 now receives iCloud support. This application adds the background blur and “Retouch” functions. These two new functions are also complemented in systems with Copilot+ with a new function called “Restyle Images”.
What the new feature allows is to modify images that we have on our computer and convert them to various types of previously configured styles. As an example, we can convert an image of ourselves as if it were anime style. It includes a prompt box that can be used to add extra details to the process. As with Paint, this tool has different creativity level settings.
You have to know that both the “Cocreator” functions in Paint and “Restyle Images” in Photos can offer unlimited designs. Since it works locally, no credits are required to use these features. We don’t know when they will be deployed for general use, but it shouldn’t take long to arrive.