Microsoft Launches Windows AI Labs for Testing New Features

Microsoft has initiated testing of experimental AI-powered features through its new Windows AI Labs program. Some Windows testers recently noticed references to the Windows AI Labs program in pre-release updates to Microsoft Paint, and Microsoft has confirmed that the program is designed to offer early access to new AI features across Windows.

According to Mike Harsh, partner director of product management at Microsoft, the Windows AI Lab serves as a pilot acceleration program for validating novel AI feature ideas in Windows. The program emphasizes rapid customer feedback on feature usability, customer interest, and market fit.

While the prompt to access Windows AI Labs features has appeared in some versions of Paint, it remains unclear which Paint features Microsoft plans to test initially. Microsoft has been adding Photoshop-like features to Paint, including transparency, layers, and .paint project files, suggesting potential AI tools similar to those in Adobe Photoshop.

Additionally, Microsoft has been updating various Windows apps with AI-powered features, such as free AI capabilities in Notepad, image generation in Paint, and AI actions in File Explorer.