New report suggests next Xbox could have baked in AI functionality

A new report suggests Microsoft's next Xbox console will feature AI functionality through a neural processing unit within the system.

03rd Jun 2024 10:54

Images via Microsoft

xbox-series-x.jpg

We're in an AI age and have been for a year or two, and while we've heard how artificial intelligence will make game development easier for studios (and mess up social media posts for tech giants) we've not seen it in a consumer-facing way just yet.

That could change with the next console generation, though, as Microsoft is reportedly looking to add a Neural Processing Unit to the next Xbox to help process complex tasks.

Microsoft may lean into AI with the next Xbox

Xbox consoles

Over at WindowsCentral, reliable Microsoft reporter Jez Corden notes that "Reliable sources tell us that the next Xbox will sport an NPU for handling some AI tasks, such as automatic super resolution, for example, without detracting from the CPU or GPU."

"The next Xbox will also have some form of Copilot, offering guidance in-game without having to use websites like ours (RIP Windows Central)"

While Corden notes that he's not entirely sure who is providing the NPU architecture, he suggests it'll be AMD.

The option to grab game guides while playing is likely to be appealing to many, but with Google's recent attempt to condense the internet down into AI-based snippets being a relative disaster for anyone who doesn't want to eat rocks, there's no guarantee the information provided would be correct.

It's also perhaps not surprising to see Microsoft nudge the Xbox toward AI, given it maintains a significant investment in OpenAI, and is reportedly building its own large language model (LLM). Whether Sony follows suit remains to be seen - the PS5 offered the option to view guide videos right on the dashboard in supported games when it launched.

Lloyd Coombes

About The Author

Lloyd Coombes

Lloyd is GGRecon's Editor-in-Chief, having previously worked at Dexerto and Gfinity, and occasionally appears in The Daily Star newspaper. A big fan of loot-based games including Destiny 2 and Diablo 4, when he's not working you'll find him at the gym or trying to play Magic The Gathering.

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