Linux 7.0 enables three new AI-specific keys for keyboards, an apparent expansion beyond the Copilot key — Google authors both the HID spec and the kernel patch

The Linux 7.0 kernel introduces three new AI-specific keycodes for laptops, expanding beyond the Microsoft Copilot key, with Google being the author of both the HID spec and the kernel patch. The new keycodes include KEY_ACTION_ON_SELECTION, KEY_CONTEXTUAL_INSERT, and KEY_CONTEXTUAL_QUERY, designed for in-context AI agent interactions. These keycodes are defined on the USB HID Application Launch usage page, allowing for direct mapping by operating systems. Google's involvement in this development is notable, especially as Microsoft initially drove the Copilot key push. The keycodes are agent-agnostic, giving OEMs flexibility in integrating them into upcoming laptops and PCs.