Microsoft has announced that it will host a "digital event" later this month to announce new Surface hardware, Windows 11 features, and Copilot AI developments

According to a brief event page posted by Microsoft this morning, the "New Era of Work" digital-only event will kick off on March 21 at 9:00 AM PST/12:00 PM EST The company promised to present "the latest in scaling AI in your environment with Copilot, Windows, and Surface"

Microsoft did not share details on what exactly will be announced, but given the lack of a Surface Pro 10 announcement last year, it is one of the most likely candidates to be announced Windows Central has previously reported that Microsoft is planning to release the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 to be announced in spring 2024

According to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the Surface Pro 10 will be upgraded to a brighter, less reflective OLED display, feature a new ultrawide front-facing webcam enhanced with AI Studio Effects and a built-in NFC reader, and both models will reportedly receive minor spec upgrades; the Surface Laptop 6 is rumored to receive a redesign that includes thinner bezels, more rounded corners, a tactile touchpad, and two USB-C and USB-A ports

More than just a hardware refresh, however, Microsoft is said to be marketing these systems as the company's first AI PCs; Windows Central reports that the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop will feature built-in Copilot feature and will be some of Microsoft's first devices capable of supporting other special AI features coming in Windows 11 later this year The new hardware will reportedly be the first to feature the new Intel Core Ultra or Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors, both of which have neural processing units (NPUs) for enhanced AI performance

Microsoft is also working on a new AI-focused experience for Windows 11, known internationally as "AI Explorer," the outlet reports "advanced Copilot" that can catalog everything you do on your PC, allowing you to use natural language to search for moments in your timeline It is said to work across apps, documents, web pages, conversations, and images, turning your PC experience into an easily searchable history

Of course, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt for now As for what Microsoft has in store for us, we'll have to wait until March 21 to find out