A new vision for agent-first computing: Project Solara | Steven Bathiche at Microsoft Build 2026

Key Concepts

• Project Solara: A framework for creating an ecosystem of purpose-built, agent-first devices.
• Agent-First Interaction: A shift from app-centric computing to agent-centric computing, where AI agents operate globally across devices and workflows.
• Just-in-Time UI: An adaptive user interface that changes based on the specific form factor and the agent’s current task.
• Constellation of Devices: The concept that the "next computer" is not a single device, but a system of interconnected devices working in harmony.
• AOSP-based Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform: The enterprise-ready software foundation for Project Solara.

---

1. The Vision: Beyond the App-Centric Model

Steven Bathiche introduces Project Solara as the evolution of the AI application structure discussed at Build 2023. The core argument is that AI should move from being trapped within individual application frames to operating globally across services, devices, and time scales.

• The Problem: Current computing is hindered by fragmented, custom-built stacks for specialized devices and the limitation that AI agents are constrained by where they can exist.
• The Solution: Project Solara provides a turnkey, enterprise-ready platform that allows organizations to deploy specialized agents onto purpose-built hardware.

2. The Three Pillars of Project Solara

To enable this ecosystem, the platform relies on three technical pillars:

1. Enterprise-Ready Foundation: Built on an AOSP (Android Open Source Project)-based Microsoft device ecosystem platform, ensuring security and manageability.
2. Agent-Driven Interaction: Features a "Just-in-Time UI" that automatically adapts to the specific form factor of the device.
3. Extensibility: A "bring your own agent" model, unified by Azure to maintain context across the cloud and the physical device.

3. Device Categories and Real-World Applications

Bathiche previewed two primary categories of hardware designed to reach "nooks and crannies" where traditional computers are not optimal:

A. Stationary Devices (Desk-based)

• Hardware: Built on MediaTek silicon.
• Functionality: Uses "Hello for Business" for secure, frictionless sign-in. It acts as an ambient, dedicated work companion that integrates with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Windows 365.
• Key Feature: Supports device handoff, allowing it to function as a secondary, intelligent screen for a primary Windows PC.

B. Portable Devices (Wearables)

• Hardware: Built on Qualcomm silicon for wearables.
• Form Factor: A digital badge designed for on-the-go interaction.
• Case Study (Healthcare): A nurse can use the badge for hands-free voice documentation (with diarization and annotation), scan medications via a side-facing camera, and access patient records. This allows the professional to remain "present" with the patient while maintaining digital intelligence.

4. Methodology and Flexibility

The platform is designed for high modularity. The same core reference hardware and software can be adapted for various industries—including retail, hospitality, legal, and industrial sectors—by simply:

• Loading different agents.
• Adjusting physical form factors (screen size, shape).
• Modifying sensors and input methods.

5. Notable Quotes

• "The next computer is not one device. It is all these devices working together as one system, with agents showing up closer to where and when you need them." — Steven Bathiche
• "This is the moment to imagine where your agents should live, what form they should take, and what new work they can unlock." — Steven Bathiche

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

Project Solara represents a strategic shift toward "ambient computing," where the hardware is secondary to the agent. By decoupling agents from traditional app-based interfaces and providing a flexible, secure platform, Microsoft aims to enable businesses to embed intelligence into specific physical workflows. With early partners like Best Buy, Target, and CVS Health, the project seeks to unlock productivity in environments where traditional PCs are impractical, effectively turning the entire workplace into a unified, agent-driven system.