Microsoft set to unveil new AI tools at Build 2026 conference

MUMBAI: The next chapter of computing may not begin with a click, but with an AI agent quietly getting the job done. Microsoft is expected to use its annual Build developer conference on 2 June to reveal a fresh wave of artificial intelligence tools aimed at developers, cloud customers and PC users, as the company deepens its bet on AI becoming the operating layer of modern computing. According to Reuters, chief executive Satya Nadella will outline Microsoft’s latest AI strategy at the San Francisco event, with a particular focus on tools that help developers build, deploy and manage AI applications more efficiently across both Azure cloud services and Windows-powered devices.

At the centre of the announcements is likely to be Microsoft’s growing push into “agentic AI” systems capable of carrying out complex, multi-step tasks with minimal human input. The technology is increasingly viewed as the next stage of AI evolution, moving beyond chatbots towards software that can independently complete workflows.

The company is also expected to showcase advancements in running AI models directly on PCs rather than relying entirely on cloud infrastructure. The shift reflects the rapid emergence of so-called AI PCs, equipped with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) that allow AI workloads to run faster, more privately and with lower latency.

For developers, Microsoft is likely to unveil deeper AI integrations across its software ecosystem, including upgrades tied to GitHub Copilot and AI-powered coding environments designed to streamline programming, testing and deployment tasks. The goal is simple: reduce the time spent writing code and increase the time spent building products.

On the cloud front, Azure is expected to receive enhanced AI deployment capabilities, allowing organisations to build, train and scale models with greater ease. The investments come as competition intensifies among major cloud providers racing to become the preferred platform for enterprise AI development.

The conference arrives at a pivotal moment for the technology industry. As artificial intelligence reshapes everything from software engineering to workplace productivity, technology giants are increasingly redesigning operating systems, chips and cloud infrastructure around AI-first experiences.

Microsoft has emerged as one of the most aggressive players in that transformation, weaving AI into products spanning Windows, Azure, GitHub, Office and enterprise software. The company’s strategy increasingly positions AI not as a standalone feature but as a foundational layer connecting hardware, cloud services and applications.

With industry rivals making similar moves, Build 2026 is expected to offer a clearer view of how Microsoft plans to maintain its momentum in the rapidly evolving AI race.

If previous eras were defined by personal computing and cloud computing, Microsoft’s latest showcase suggests the company wants the next era to be remembered as AI computing.