At its Build 2026 developer conference Tuesday, Microsoft
previewed integrations with OpenClaw, the AI agent system that may offer the clearest look at the company’s vision for Windows — as well as a new operating system
intended for internet-connected smart devices to give people remote control of AI agents.
The shift will rewrite how the company helps advertisers and brands reach audiences in ways that have
not yet been discovered or revealed.
The two prototype devices fall under the name “Project Solara.” One is a wearable handheld badge with a built-in camera and microphone. The
other is a stationary desktop-type console. Both have touch screens and connect to the internet.
The operating systems will be licensed to original equipment manufacturers, allowing users
to control AI tools such as its 365 Copilot AI software, which automates workplace tasks such as drafting emails, rescheduling meetings or sending messages, by communicating with internet-connected
devices.
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While Microsoft 365 Copilot can automate repetitive tasks and analyze data for campaign optimization, the company says Project Solara will communicate with the devices
and could eventually be used to trigger certain advertising messages on wearable devices.
I’m certainly thinking way past what Microsoft has publicly revealed or, perhaps, even thought
about.
Microsoft on Tuesday said the devices are built to support workers in fields such as healthcare, construction, retail, and other industries.
Corporate customers including
Accuweather, Best Buy, CVS, and Target are “exploring” how to use the devices, Microsoft said.
The evolution of operating systems (OS) tied to agentic and conversational artificial
intelligence (AI) is an interesting one, especially for Microsoft, which owns Windows.
Windows has as much as 70.21% of the desktop market share, although its share across all platforms,
including mobile, is significantly lower at 32.5%.
Project Solara would give Microsoft the support it needs to strengthen its enterprise customer list as a chip-to-cloud platform for
“agent-first” hardware devices — such as wearable badges and desktop smart companions — that run AI agents instead of apps.
In an interesting architectural pivot, Project Solara is built on
Android, not Windows, called the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
The Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) serves as the software foundation and operating-system layer for Project
Solara.
This enables Microsoft to use Android’s footprint and hardware-driver ecosystem for low-power and ambient-type gadgets, and still tie in to Windows. The difference is that it
connects as an external cloud gateway rather than running Windows locally.
But it was the OpenClaw announcements that
drew the loudest applause at the event.
The highlight of the presentation was a demonstration in which Microsoft proudly showed off a sandboxed local AI agent that repeatedly attempted
and failed to delete a bunch of user files, thanks to stricter guardrails.
The OpenClaw-style AI agents for PCs are the next step — a vision that emphasizes innovation as well as safety for
dedicated hardware platforms.
“Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC)” will securely run OpenClaw on Windows, alongside a dedicated companion app.
The company also demonstrated its
Nvidia RTX Spark-powered Surface Laptop Ultra, which can run AI agents locally with data centers or internet connection.
