Technology

Microsoft shows off AI running on the Windows 11 taskbar and File Explorer

Source

Windows Latest

Published

Feb 18, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

Microsoft is showcasing new AI features on Windows 11, including "Ask Copilot" on the taskbar and File Explorer. These AI agents aim to enhance productivity by providing quick access to information and assisting with tasks like research and document insights. The features will be gradually rolled out to users, offering a seamless integration of AI into daily workflows. Microsoft is also working on additional AI experiences and taskbar agents to further improve user interactions with Windows 11. The new AI capabilities are designed to streamline tasks and decision-making processes without disrupting the user's workflow.

Read Full Article

Dr. L.C. Lu on TSMC Advanced Technology Design Solutions

Dr. L.C. Lu, a key figure at TSMC, focuses on design-technology co-optimization, packaging innovations, and AI-driven methodologies for next-gen semiconductor systems. TSMC emphasizes DTCO and DDCL innovations for scaling from N5 to A14 nodes, with NanoFlex and NanoFlex Pro architectures offering efficiency gains. N2P and N2U nodes incorporate advanced DTCO and power delivery optimizations, with hybrid dual-rail architectures achieving significant energy savings. TSMC collaborates with EDA partners for AI integration, enhancing productivity and design quality. Advanced packaging technologies like CoWoS and SoIC play a crucial role in enabling AI scaling, with memory bandwidth and interconnect performance scaling aggressively. TSMC addresses power delivery and thermal management challenges in AI systems through advanced solutions. TSMC's advancements in design methodologies and AI-driven automation promise improved productivity and scalability in chip-package co-design.

SemiWiki•

3 hours ago

MIT Technology Review

The Download: a new Christian phone network, and debugging LLMs

A new US phone network for Christians is launching, blocking porn and gender-related content with network-level controls. Goodfire, a San Francisco startup, released Silico, a tool for debugging AI models by allowing users to adjust parameters during training. The National Science Foundation faced mass firings, impacting US science funding and governance. China's AI labs are releasing open-source models, challenging the traditional Silicon Valley approach. Elon Musk admitted using OpenAI models for xAI training, sparking debate on AI ethics and practices.

MIT Technology Review•

4 hours ago

Mark Zuckerberg says Meta is cutting 8,000 jobs to pay for AI infrastructure — insatiable compute demand means the company can't rule out further headcount reductions

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced at a town hall that the company plans to cut 8,000 jobs due to the increasing costs of AI infrastructure. These layoffs will affect about 10% of Meta's workforce and are linked to the company's expanding AI budget. Zuckerberg mentioned that the focus on AI hardware is diverting funds from employee-related expenses, hinting at possible future reductions. Despite the layoffs, Meta reported strong Q1 earnings, raising questions about the necessity of the job cuts. The move highlights a broader debate about the role of AI in driving layoffs in the tech industry.

Tom's Hardware•

5 hours ago

Windows 11 KB5083631 out with Xbox mode, faster performance (direct download links .msu)

Windows 11 KB5083631 introduces Xbox mode for regular PCs, a more reliable File Explorer, faster startup apps, and more. This optional update can be downloaded via Windows Update or through direct download links provided by Microsoft. The update includes early features from Microsoft's Windows K2 project aimed at enhancing Windows 11. Xbox mode brings a console-like gaming experience to Windows 11, optimized for controllers. Additionally, File Explorer improvements ensure consistent folder views across applications.

Windows Latest•

16 hours ago