BusinessToday Previous Editions

2 NEWS 5.10.2023 MICROSOFT has introduced Copi- lot, an AI-powered companion de- signed to make technology more ac- cessible, efficient, and intuitive for everyday users. Acting as a virtual assistant, this innovative AI companion has been seamlessly integrated into Microsoft's flagship products, including GitHub for streamlined coding, Microsoft 365 for enhanced productivity, Bing and Edge for refined searching experienc- es, and Windows for contextual value across applications and PC interac- tions. This transformative technology, eas- ily accessible within Windows 11, Mi- crosoft 365, Edge, and Bing, either as an app or through a convenient right- click feature is set to provide a unified and intelligent experience that lever- ages web context, work-related data, and real-time PC activities to offer valuable assistance, all while ensuring user privacy and security. "Microsoft is ushering in a new era of AI technology that promises to re- shape the way we interact with and benefit from our devices in line with our vision to create a holistic AI ex- perience that seamlessly integrates into users' lives, spanning work and leisure," said Microsoft. The rollout of Copilot started com- menced on September 26 with a free update to Windows 11 that boasts more than 150 new features, bringing the power of Copilot to various appli- cations, including Paint, Photos, and Clipchamp, making tasks simpler and more intuitive. Some notable enhancements include AI-powered capabilities in Paint, Photos, Clipchamp, Notepad, en- hancements to the File Explorer with a modernized interface designed for easier access to content and new text authoring experiences, voice access, and natural voices in Narrator en- hance Windows 11's accessibility. Microsoft is also redefining the way users interact with the web through Bing and Edge. Bing introduces per- sonalized answers based on chat his- tory, expanding its capabilities for personalized recommendations. Co- pilot will enhance the shopping expe- rience on Bing and Edge by assisting users in finding desired items and of- fering tailored recommendations. Bing Chat Enterprise, introduced just two months ago, has already gained popularity among more than 160 million Microsoft 365 users. Now, it is expanding to the Microsoft Edge mobile app, offering multimodal visual search and Image Creator fea- tures promising to boost creativity and productivity in the workplace. The centrepiece of Microsoft's AI transformation is Microsoft 365 Co- pilot, set to be generally available for enterprise customers this coming No- vember 1. Central to this will be Microsoft 365 Chat, a new AI assistant that harness- es data from emails, meetings, chats, documents, and the web, to assist us- ers in complex and time-consuming tasks. Preview customers can access Microsoft 365 Chat today, with plans to expand its availability. To further empower users, Micro- soft is introducing new capabilities for Copilot across various applica- tions, including Outlook, Word, Ex- cel, Loop, OneNote, and OneDrive. Additionally, Windows 365 Switch and Windows 365 Boot will become generally available, making it easier to access Windows Cloud PCs and boost employee productivity while simplify- ing IT management. "Microsoft's Copilot and the asso- ciated AI advancements are set to re- define the way we interact with tech- nology, making it more accessible and efficient than ever before. Microsoft's Copilot continues to confirm how as technology continues to evolve, Mi- crosoft remains at the forefront of AI innovation, making the future more accessible, secure, and productive for all," concluded Microsoft. Microsoft's Copilot as an everyday AI companion EMMY-AWARD winners Unicorn to- gether with 50 different investors will be attending the Start-Up Festival to- morrow, in a highly-anticipated event to which over 1,500 individuals have signed up. More than 300 internation- al attendees are expected to attend, many of whom will be travelling to Malta for the first time. Enterprise Minister Miriam Dalli and Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Far- rugia visited the final preparatory works. The third edition of the Startup Fes- tival is being held today and tomor- row, at the Malta Fairs and Conven- tions Centre (MFCC) and the adjacent park in Ta' Qali, Malta. The festival hosts 55 exhibitors, in- cluding start-ups, corporates, inves- tors and a number of well-established family businesses. For the first time ever the Start-Up Festival also has a dedicated pro- gramme aimed at students, with more than 150 students from various educa- tional institutions expected to join on the first day of the festival. Several investors have already set up meetings with Start-Ups in the Deal Room area. During her visit, Dalli toured the venue, meeting with organisers and event staff to discuss the progress of setup and logistics. "I am very happy to see the dedica- tion and hard work that has gone into preparing for the Start-Up Festival," she said. "Malta's start-up ecosystem is vi- brant and full of potential, and this event is a testament to our commit- ment to nurture innovation and en- trepreneurship. I look forward to an inspiring festival that will further so- lidify Malta's position as a hub for in- novation in the Mediterranean." The Startup Festival, a premier gath- ering of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, is set to showcase Malta's dy- namic start-up scene and foster collaboration among key stakehold- ers. In its first two editions, the Start- Up Festival Malta hosted some of the best entrepreneur- ial minds in Malta and managed to attract hundreds of new local and inter- national businesses, representing various sectors including Fin- Tech, Digital Gaming, VR/ AR, Metaverse, Medicinal Can- nabis, BioTech, MedTech and the Blue Economy. The Start-Up Festival is an oppor- tunity for local and international en- trepreneurs to showcase their ide- as, attract investment, and network with industry leaders from across the globe. The Start- Up Festival is expected to feature a diverse range of activi- ties, including keynote speakers, panel discussions, pitch competitions, and networking opportunities. It aims to promote innovation, cre- ativity, and collaboration within Mal- ta's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Kurt Farrugia, CEO of Malta Enter- prise stated that: "We are honoured to have Minister Dalli's support for the Start-Up Festival. We are confi- dent that the Start Up Festival will yield positive outcomes for our start- up community and we are excited to continue welcoming more companies who are looking to make Malta their home. Registrations are still open and we encourage those who want to reg- ister to do so before the first day to- morrow." Registrations are accepted on: h t t p s : / / s t a r t u p f e s t i v a l m a l t a . c o m / sufm23-registration/ Emmy award winner and 50 investors sign up for Malta's Start-Up Festival PHILIP CAMILLERI (left), entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of Emmy-award winners Unicorn, will be attending the Start-up Festival

• Cover