What is AI, and how does it work?

There’s so much that AI can do! For instance, AI-powered Copilot in the Microsoft Edge sidebar can improve your search and browsing experience, make to-do lists, suggest recipes, generate text, create visuals, and much more. Learn about what AI is, how it works, and how you can use some of the AI-powered tools in Microsoft Edge’s sidebar to increase creativity and productivity on a daily basis.

What is AI?

AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, is a system of computerized databases that can perform tasks like humans. Some of these tasks include recognizing patterns, making decisions, understanding natural conversations, processing images, and finding online sources to provide you with specific and detailed responses to your search queries. AI-powered systems can process vast amounts of data, learn from it, and use what they learn to make informed decisions.

In the field of computer science, there are two types of artificial intelligence: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI tools help you perform specific tasks like playing chess or calculating math problems. General AI-powered tools like Copilot in the Edge sidebar can help you do many tasks that a human can do.

How does AI work?

AI systems use machine learning (ML) and deep learning to process requests. Machine learning involves training algorithms on large datasets to recognize patterns and make predictions. Deep learning is a subsector of ML that uses artificial neural networks inspired by the human brain’s structure. Together, these networks consist of interconnected layers of artificial neurons that process and analyze data so the system can learn and adapt over time. As AI-powered tools analyze more datasets, their levels of accuracy and performance improve. These improvements make them more proficient in responding to your prompts.

Where AI manifests in your daily life

There are plenty of ways you can use AI-powered tools in your day-to-day activities. These tools can make completing tasks easier and more efficient. One popular example is Copilot in the Edge sidebar, which is an AI-powered virtual assistant that you can engage with using text or speech. You can find these AI-powered tools on some websites, customer service interfaces, and in Microsoft Edge’s sidebar.

How do AI-powered assistants work?

AI-powered tools like Copilot in the Edge sidebar use natural language processing techniques to understand and respond to your prompts and queries. Copilot analyzes the text and speech inputs you give it, determines the intent of your requests, and generates answers to your complex questions. Use AI-powered assistants to translate text, find information, and get answers to your questions. As you converse with Copilot and provide this AI-powered tool feedback, it’ll continuously improve its ability to understand your requests.

Why Microsoft Edge is the best AI-powered browser

Packed with AI-powered tools, Microsoft Edge is the best browser for built-in AI experiences. Take advantage of the following AI-powered features you can find in Microsoft Edge’s sidebar:

Copilot

Copilot in the Edge sidebar makes finding answers faster and easier. When you ask Copilot a question, its AI-powered technology will use natural language processing to analyze your text and produce an answer with the same tone as your inputs. Use Copilot to get comprehensive answers with sources and summarized information about complex topics and information that you’d like to compare. Generate meal and exercise plans, party playlists, trip itineraries, and more using Copilot in the Edge sidebar. Continue to chat with this AI-powered tool so that you can find all the information you need without leaving your browser.

Compose tab

Save time, improve your writing skills, and enhance your productivity using the Compose tab in the Copilot pane in the Edge sidebar. Compose can empower you to create text in different tones, ranging from academic to inspirational to satirical. Use Compose to brainstorm new ideas, generate outlines for projects, and overcome writer’s block. While you can generate the same text in a chat with Copilot in the Edge sidebar, the Compose tab provides ready-made tone, format, and length suggestions. Those options can make it that much easier to quickly generate the text you need, all in the sidebar.

Microsoft Designer

Create visually appealing presentations, documents, flyers, and more using Microsoft Designer, an AI-powered design tool. Use it to design graphics for your social media posts, invitations, restaurant menus, digital postcards, and more. No matter if you’re a novice or a pro, Designer helps you save time on creating visuals and can improve user engagement with your posts.

Image Creator from Designer

Image Creator from Designer is an AI-powered tool in Microsoft Edge’s sidebar that allows you to use text prompts to create images. Effortlessly produce eye-catching visuals by telling this tool exactly what you’re envisioning. Be as descriptive as possible and add details like adjectives, locations, and artistic styles to get a list of images that fit your vision. Create memes, digital art, and photos for your blogs and websites using this AI-powered tool.

With AI-powered tools integrated directly in the Microsoft Edge sidebar, it’s never been easier to browse the web. Use Microsoft Edge to personalize your browsing experience and get suggestions for new content, instant translations, recommended products, generated images, and more. Try Microsoft Edge today, and let AI-powered tools help you search smarter and deliver the answers you’re looking for.