Microsoft has announced the dates for its major 2024 events, including Microsoft Ignite, Build and AI Tour.
Microsoft Ignite was confirmed for Chicago, November 18-22, 2024, while Build was confirmed for May 21-23, 2024.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given Microsoft’s campaign to frame 2024 as the year of the AI PC, Microsoft positioned artificial intelligence front and centre in the previews for its 2024 events.
Takeshi Numoto, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Microsoft, said:
2023 was a year of exciting growth and innovation here at Microsoft. This year’s focus is to empower our customers and partners through AI transformation, and we’re excited to share what will be an impactful lineup of events for 2024. Attending any of these events provides you with the opportunity to learn, grow and make defining connections with experts from around the world.”
Numoto highlighted that attendees could expect “enhancements” for this year’s events. Azure AI-powered natural language assistants will offer personalised session recommendations, summarise content, and address event-related inquiries to enhance the attendee experience.
More Details on the Events
Microsoft’s biggest annual event, Ignite, will see the vendor return to Chicago this November.
IT professionals, implementers, developers, architects and more are invited to check out Microsoft’s latest technology. This is the participants’ opportunity to delve into the newest AI solutions and copilots, gaining firsthand access through demos to explore the latest tools, receive in-depth technical training, and have questions answered by Microsoft experts.
Senior leaders and decision-makers are invited not only to experience the latest technology firsthand but also to gain insights into leading in the era of AI. Additionally, they can explore robust networking opportunities during the event.
“If you’re looking to expand your AI knowledge, create connections and push the boundaries of what we can accomplish together, there’s no better event than Microsoft Ignite,” Numoto expanded.
May will see Microsoft Build take place in Seattle, entailing developers, “distinguished engineers” and “in-demand experts”, Numoto said. The event will feature the latest announcements, allow attendees to get hands-on with the technology, and create new features and opportunities with AIs and copilots.
Meanwhile, the AI Tour is an ongoing series of one-day, in-person experiences whose remaining stops include Berlin, Paris, São Paulo and Seoul, where participants could attend interactive workshops on unlocking the power of AI. “These events bring together those on the cutting edge of innovation — including decision-makers, industry experts, thought leaders and developers — to focus on how AI will revolutionise work,” Numoto wrote.
In other news, Microsoft’s Inspire Event, which took place in July last year and is designed for the vendor’s partner community, has been scrapped as an in-person showcase. In what the tech giant describes as “the next chapter” for Inspire, the event planned for this July will occur online.
“In July, we will kick off our fiscal year with partners in tandem with our Microsoft sellers by providing a digital engagement to share strategic priorities, investments, and key program changes,” Numoto wrote in Microsoft’s blog. “We look forward to sharing more details soon.”
Microsoft also asked partners who usually attend Inspire in person to join Microsoft Ignite in November to see the “latest Microsoft innovations, network and celebrate the Partner of the Year Award winners”.
What Other Significant Microsoft News Has There Been This Week?
This week, Microsoft partnered with French AI business Mistral in a multiyear deal to commercialise its new language models.
Mistral’s open and commercial language models will now be accessible on Microsoft’s Azure AI platform. Microsoft’s partnership with Mistral, which has existed for ten months but is valued at around $2.1 billion, intends to prioritise the advancement and implementation of next-generation large language models.
It is Microsoft’s second major AI partnership after OpenAI, which was the first company to offer a commercial language model on Azure and in which Microsoft has invested around $13 billion over the past four years.
Microsoft is also introducing exciting new features to Teams, such as video clips and enhanced presenter tools.
Soon, Teams users can share video clips in channels alongside standard chat messaging. This feature allows users to record video or audio clips of themselves or screen recordings, which can then be attached to a channel post.
Moreover, presenters will have improved tools for monitoring participant activity during meetings. The Enhanced Presenter Window provides a clear overview, showing up to four active participants with both video and audio capabilities and indicators for raised hands.
