By CGTN’s Mark Niu
Microsoft is holding its annual developers conference in Seattle in a departure from past years when it has been held in San Francisco.
Back on its home turf, Microsoft is seeking to inspire and convince thousands of developers that its technology ecosystem is on the cutting edge. That is partly why everywhere at the event, you will hear a new Microsoft buzz phrase, “intelligent edge.”
Microsoft employee Anne Walker, right, is shown a Surface Studio device by Fei Su at the Microsoft Build 2017 developers conference on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Seattle. /AP Photo
“We really think the future of computing is this combination of an intelligent cloud combined with lots of devices at what we call the intelligent edge, so it’s the combination of these devices connecting up to the cloud on your watch, on your phone, on your computer, in your speaker,” Chris Capossela, chief marketing officer for Microsoft, said.
One example is Microsoft’s personal assistant Cortana - which is now in a Harman Kardon speaker called "Invoke." The idea is to have Cortana move personalized information seamlessly across all devices wherever you go.
In an increasingly competitive mobile space, Microsoft is hoping to leverage its extensive software and cloud services to bring in users from all devices.
Through its work in artificial intelligence, Microsoft is aiming to turn real-world surroundings into a searchable database.
An attendee poses in a mixed reality photo booth with artwork created using Microsoft Paint 3D during the Microsoft Build 2017 developers conference in Seattle on Thursday, May 11, 2017. /CFP Photo
A recognition system on display at the conference can help track equipment to find if it’s stored safely or whether certified people are using it.
But Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella is also well aware that many users are starting to find the rapid development of artificial intelligence, camera vision and data collection a little scary.
That is why Nadella said it is up to developers to ensure that dystopian scenarios do not become a reality.
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