Microsoft is set to host a major event on October 7th in San Francisco, where it will outline the future of its Windows operating system and Surface devices. A key focus of the event is expected to be how local artificial intelligence (AI) will influence the next phase of personal computing. Local AI refers to processing that happens directly on a device, rather than relying on cloud-based servers, which can improve performance and privacy. This event marks Microsoft's first major Windows-focused gathering in over two years. The last such event was in May 2024, where the company introduced new Arm-based "Copilot Plus" PCs and announced a renewed partnership with Qualcomm. Before that, the last major Windows event occurred in June 2021, when Windows 11 was officially unveiled during a live-streamed presentation. Several high-profile executives are expected to attend the event, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Windows and Surface head Pavan Davuluri, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Huang’s presence hints that RTX Spark PCs, which are designed to run AI-powered applications locally, may be a central topic. This could also be an opportunity for more details on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra, including its pricing and when it will be available to the public. While the event is expected to highlight improvements to Windows and its future direction, a major surprise like the announcement of Windows 12 is not anticipated. The Verge will provide live coverage of the event from San Francisco on October 7th, starting at 10AM Pacific Time (1PM Eastern Time). The coverage will include updates on any new products, features, or partnerships announced during the event.