HomeMicrosoft Refreshes AI Development Tools for Windows
Microsoft is streamlining the process for developers to create AI-powered applications on Windows.
At its Build 2025 conference, Microsoft introduced Windows AI Foundry, an expanded and rebranded version of the Windows Copilot Runtime service launched last May. The company describes it as a unified platform for local AI development, enabling developers to fine-tune, optimize, and deploy the AI models that power Windows applications.
Microsoft increasingly views AI, whether running on-device or in the cloud, as a major revenue source, despite the high costs of developing flagship models. In January, CEO Satya Nadella reported the company has reached $13 billion in annualized AI revenue, partly driven by its partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
While Microsoft may not directly profit from third-party AI apps on Windows, it aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by providing resources that simplify AI software development on its flagship OS. This strategy is intended to strengthen its competitive position, hence the launch of Windows AI Foundry.
According to a press release, Windows AI Foundry can automatically identify a Windows device's hardware and retrieve the required software components to run a specific AI model. Microsoft states the platform will keep these components updated as new devices launch and offer tools to streamline model preparation.
Windows AI Foundry also includes Foundry Local, a new service that brings AI models directly to client devices. Supporting both Windows and macOS, Foundry Local provides modules to run AI models and tools on-device, utilizing the ONNX Runtime, an open-source project designed to accelerate AI across different platforms.
Foundry Local also includes command-line interface support, allowing developers to use commands like "Foundry model list" and "Foundry model run" to browse, test, and interact with models on a local server.
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Berkeley, CA | June 5 REGISTER NOW "Foundry Local automatically detects device hardware—including CPU, GPU, and NPU—and lists compatible models for developers to test," Microsoft explains. "Developers can use the Foundry Local SDK to seamlessly integrate the service into their applications."
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Microsoft is streamlining the process for developers to create AI-powered applications on Windows.
At its Build 2025 conference, Microsoft introduced Windows AI Foundry, an expanded and rebranded version of the Windows Copilot Runtime service launched last May. The company describes it as a unified platform for local AI development, enabling developers to fine-tune, optimize, and deploy the AI models that power Windows applications.
Microsoft increasingly views AI, whether running on-device or in the cloud, as a major revenue source, despite the high costs of developing flagship models. In January, CEO Satya Nadella reported the company has reached $13 billion in annualized AI revenue, partly driven by its partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
While Microsoft may not directly profit from third-party AI apps on Windows, it aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem by providing resources that simplify AI software development on its flagship OS. This strategy is intended to strengthen its competitive position, hence the launch of Windows AI Foundry.
According to a press release, Windows AI Foundry can automatically identify a Windows device's hardware and retrieve the required software components to run a specific AI model. Microsoft states the platform will keep these components updated as new devices launch and offer tools to streamline model preparation.
Windows AI Foundry also includes Foundry Local, a new service that brings AI models directly to client devices. Supporting both Windows and macOS, Foundry Local provides modules to run AI models and tools on-device, utilizing the ONNX Runtime, an open-source project designed to accelerate AI across different platforms.
Foundry Local also includes command-line interface support, allowing developers to use commands like "Foundry model list" and "Foundry model run" to browse, test, and interact with models on a local server.
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Berkeley, CA | June 5 REGISTER NOW"Foundry Local automatically detects device hardware—including CPU, GPU, and NPU—and lists compatible models for developers to test," Microsoft explains. "Developers can use the Foundry Local SDK to seamlessly integrate the service into their applications."
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