Microsoft to Unveil MAI-Thinking-1 and Windows 11 Developer Overhaul at Build

Microsoft is preparing to unveil a new AI reasoning model, a Copilot super app, and significant Windows developer improvements at its Build conference in San Francisco. Key announcements include the MAI-Thinking-1 reasoning model, MAI-Image-2.5 variants, and a Windows 11 developer-optimised experience featuring a distraction-free environment. The event also covers updates on Windows on Arm with Qualcomm, local AI models on Nvidia’s RTX Spark silicon, and efforts to restore trust in GitHub.

Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman is expected to unveil the MAI-Thinking-1 model, described as the company’s first reasoning model, which has not been trained using distillation. A new Windows 11 developer-optimised experience will be unveiled, featuring a distraction-free environment with pre-installed apps, tools, and scripts. Microsoft is developing a Copilot "super app" that combines various Copilot AI assistants into a single interface, though it will not be available in preview until late summer.

Leaked screenshots suggest the super app may include an early look at Microsoft Scout, an AI agent based on OpenClaw work, but these images are mockups for demonstrations. Microsoft will highlight efforts to improve Windows 11 performance by rewriting parts of the operating system and adapting to new silicon like Nvidia’s RTX Spark. Updates on Windows on Arm will include continued collaboration with Qualcomm to support Nvidia silicon, following previous challenges with Surface RT.

GitHub trust issues, stemming from recent departures, outages, and security incidents, are expected to be addressed, with the Build event driven by the GitHub team. Microsoft is heading to San Francisco this week in a bid to win back developers at its Build conference, moving the event into a smaller, more intimate venue to reconnect with its core user base.

The conference agenda includes updates on Windows on Arm with Qualcomm, highlighting the continued collaboration to support Nvidia silicon. Microsoft will also discuss its upcoming Copilot "super app," which combines various Copilot AI assistants into a single interface. Work is underway to build the app, but leaked screenshots are simply mockups prepared for demonstrations, and the app will not be available in preview until late summer.

Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman is expected to unveil the MAI-Thinking-1 model, described as the company’s first reasoning model, which has not been trained using distillation. The reasoning model is expected to be targeted primarily at enterprise use. Microsoft will also highlight efforts to improve Windows 11 performance by rewriting parts of the operating system and adapting to new silicon like Nvidia’s RTX Spark.

GitHub trust issues, stemming from recent departures, outages, and security incidents, are expected to be addressed, with the Build event driven by the GitHub team. Microsoft desperately needs to win back GitHub trust, particularly as high-profile developers are starting to sound the alarm. The event is seen as a pivotal moment for the company as it reshuffles its entire business around AI.