AMD and Intel to Miss Copilot+ Launch: Microsoft Delays AI Feature Support

AMD and Intel missing the Copilot lunch 

AMD and Intel are missing out on the initial launch of Copilot+ features. Despite AMD's release of its Ryzen AI 300 CPUs and Intel's preview of its Lunar Lake chips at Computex 2024, these components won't support the AI features available to Copilot+ PCs at launch. Instead, support will come later through a software update.

James Howell, a marketing manager from Microsoft, stated that free updates will eventually enable AMD and Intel PCs to access these AI features “when available.” AMD’s Matthew Hurwitz expects Copilot+ support before the end of 2024, but Microsoft and Intel have not confirmed any timeline.

There might be an exclusivity deal between Microsoft and Qualcomm. Qualcomm has described itself as the “exclusive” platform for Copilot+ PCs, and Microsoft has previously signed deals with Qualcomm, one ending in 2021 and another in early 2024. While there’s no confirmed exclusivity deal for Copilot+, it's clear there's a reason Microsoft is withholding Copilot+ updates for AMD and Intel.

AMD and Intel missing the Copilot lunch

Recently, AMD and Intel's plans were discussed during a Q&A session after Intel's Lunar Lake reveal. Michelle Holthaus, executive vice president of client computing for Intel, mentioned that the company is “waiting for Microsoft to tell us when devices will have a day-one update.” Although AMD is optimistic about Copilot+ features arriving this year, the timeline could slip into 2025.

Both Ryzen AI 300 and Lunar Lake include a neural processing unit (NPU) that meets Microsoft's requirements for a Copilot+ PC. However, Microsoft is initially limiting access to features like Recall and Auto Super Resolution to laptops with Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, according to The Verge.

Holthaus also stated that the rollout for Lunar Lake will occur from the end of the year through February next year. Although the first laptops with these chips will appear sooner, Microsoft might delay the software update for AMD and Intel until there is broader availability.

Microsoft’s push for Copilot+ is as much about AI as it is about supporting Windows on Arm. Qualcomm is optimistic about Windows’ future, with its CEO stating that the company is “not going anywhere” in PCs, suggesting future desktops and other form factors with Snapdragon chips.

AMD and Intel will eventually receive Copilot+ features, but not at launch. While AMD's new chips are set for a July release and Intel's shortly after, it could be several months before Microsoft enables Copilot+ software for these devices.