The Build 2026 keynote was almost all about AI, with Microsoft unveiling a plethora of new tools and updates. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box is designed for developers running local AI models, while Coreutils brings Linux-like command-line utilities to Windows 11.

Project Solara, an Android-based OS, aims to run agents across devices, working in harmony with PCs. Microsoft’s new always-on assistant, Scout, will integrate with Microsoft 365 apps and perform tasks like organizing calendars and managing expenses. The company is also pushing its own AI models, including a reasoning model called MAI-Thinking-1.

Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC) offer guardrails for AI agents on devices, ensuring safer usage. The firm has also announced a quantum computing chip, Majorana 2, which promises to speed up progress in the field. With these advancements, Microsoft is positioning itself as an AI powerhouse, but at what cost?

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