Microsoft Build 2025 starts today: How to watch, what to expect, and other details

Microsoft Build

Microsoft Build 2025 begins today in Seattle, running from May 19 to May 22, and it’s already shaping up to be an AI-heavy affair. As expected, Microsoft’s generative AI strategy will take centre stage.

The annual developer conference will feature a keynote from CEO Satya Nadella and several top executives. The event will be livestreamed on Microsoft’s YouTube channel.

Microsoft’s flagship AI assistant, Copilot, is expected to headline the event. The company has been integrating Copilot deeply across Windows, Office, and Azure — and this week, we’re likely to see even more updates. Features like semantic search in Settings, File Explorer, and the Windows search bar are expected to roll out soon. Microsoft may also unveil upgrades to Copilot Agents, introduced in April, which aim to automate multi-step tasks using AI.

Windows 11 is also expected to get some of the spotlight. The controversial Recall feature — a screenshot-based memory tool for Copilot+ PCs — may see a broader rollout. Other system-level tweaks and optimisations are also expected, though the long-rumoured Windows 12 is still off the table for now.

Microsoft Azure may not be the flashiest topic at Build, but it remains one of the company’s most lucrative pillars — especially for enterprise customers. While it’s unlikely to steal the spotlight from Copilot, Azure will still get its moment, particularly in the context of AI.

Azure currently powers a wide range of AI-driven services for clients, from virtual assistants and customer support bots to automated content tools — many of which rely on OpenAI’s models.

If Microsoft continues its partnership with OpenAI, we can expect iterative improvements and new features tailored for businesses. But if the company unveils its rumoured in-house language model, it could mark a significant shift for Azure’s AI offerings, possibly triggering a wave of updates across the platform.

While most gaming updates are reserved for the Xbox showcase on June 8, Microsoft might tease Project Kennan, a handheld device being co-developed with Asus. Since Microsoft has already unveiled new Surface devices earlier this month, no other hardware announcements are expected.

There’s growing speculation that Microsoft is building its own large language model to reduce its dependence on OpenAI. If true, we could get a peek at those ambitions during the Build keynotes.