Microsoft Edge is testing a new artifical intelligence (AI)-powered enhancement for their built-in PDF reader which can scan an entire document for “smart keywords,” yet another feature for the Copilot AI.
A user by the username @Leopeva64 on X first spotted the new test feature on the most stable beta version of Edge. The post shows Edge’s PDF reader highlighting “smart keywords” that, when clicked, allow the user to access additional information via the Copilot sidebar.
This development continues Microsoft’s pursuit of integrating AI across its products. Copilot, the company’s AI assistant, has seen significant advancements in its iterations, with features such as generating text, summarizing information, and baking-in image generation.
In recent months, Microsoft Edge has crossed-off several other Copilot AI functionalities from its bucket list. Last June, they released an AI theme generator to personalize browsers with unique themes based on a prompt a user enters. This feature modifies the appearance of Edge and the new tab page.
Another enhancement is the AI-powered smart find, which suggests terms when searching web pages, even with misspellings. Edge also auto-names tab groups using AI and made improvements to the read-aloud functionality with more natural-sounding voices and accents.
While Microsoft Edge is making significant strides in integrating AI into its system, it is not alone in this endeavor. Google Chrome updated its own version of the “Side Panel” to seamlessly work with Gemini‘s features without leaving their current tab.
However, Microsoft’s successful merging of Copilot AI across its products, other than Edge, distinguishes it from competitors.
Copilot has been integrated into various Microsoft applications other than the browser to enhance productivity and creativity. It can now assist users in drafting emails, creating presentations in PowerPoint, and analyzing complex data sets within Excel.
With the integration of smart keywords into Edge’s PDF reader, Microsoft aims to elevate the user experience by offering deeper insights and context directly within the document. While the feature is still in beta, it is available for preview by installing it from the Microsoft Edge Insider page.
