Microsoft is working on a new feature that could revolutionize the way users interact with their Windows 11 Taskbar. Dubbed “agentic companions,” this innovative concept aims to bring AI-driven assistance directly to the Taskbar, making it easier and more intuitive for users to access various tasks and activities.
According to recent Windows 11 preview builds, agentic companions are being explored as a way to provide users with quick access to AI-powered overlays and flyouts that can aid in completing current tasks or activities. The feature is expected to be extensible, allowing users to select which companion they’d like to access via the Taskbar.
One possible implementation of this feature is an on-screen Taskbar button that opens a dedicated overlay when clicked. This could tap into existing features such as Click To Do, which offers AI-powered suggestions and actions based on screen content. The goal is to provide users with seamless integration between the Taskbar and AI-driven experiences like Copilot.
The agentic companion feature aligns with Microsoft’s broader vision of using AI to enhance user interactions. Future versions of Windows are expected to prioritize voice input as a primary method, and this feature could potentially be a gateway into controlling the system with voice commands.
While details about the feature’s implementation are scarce, it’s clear that Microsoft is committed to exploring innovative ways to utilize AI in Windows 11. As more information becomes available through future preview builds, we can expect a better understanding of what agentic companions have in store for users.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11