Microsoft’s Copilot upgrade integrates local file access and OS-level actions via Hybrid Intelligence

Microsoft described the upgrade as part of a concept it calls ‘Hybrid Intelligence,’ which combines local and cloud-based AI models to perform tasks efficiently. In a staged demo, Microsoft’s executive vice president of Copilot, Jacob Andreou, asked an AI agent called Autopilot to assist with filing taxes. The agent used Hybrid Intelligence to search across folders, rename files, compress them into a zip archive, and draft an email with the archive attached for the accountant. Microsoft stated these Hybrid Intelligence–powered features will arrive over the next several months.

The company also previewed a new Windows search experience that allows users to perform quick actions directly from the search bar, such as toggling dark mode, adjusting microphone volume via an inline slider, or sending a text message. According to Windows and Surface head Pavan Davuluri, this new search experience will be available starting this fall on Windows 11 PCs.