Microsoft 365 Brings Richer Automatic AI Alt Text to Word and PowerPoint Only on Copilot+ PCs
Dave W. Shanahan 6 minutes read
Microsoft is kicking off the holiday week with an impactful accessibility update that brings rich, on-device AI capabilities to Microsoft 365 users. In a December 22, 2025 announcement from the Microsoft 365 Insider Blog, Shireen Salma, Product Manager on the Office Accessibility team, detailed a new feature that automatically generates descriptive alt text for images inserted in Word and PowerPoint — exclusive to Copilot+ PC users.
This enhancement leverages the specialized neural processing units (NPUs) built into Copilot+ PCs, allowing Word and PowerPoint to create detailed and context-aware image descriptions instantly, without sending any data to the cloud. The update marks another major milestone in Microsoft’s ongoing mission to combine AI innovation with inclusive, privacy-first user experiences across its productivity suite.
AI-Powered Accessibility Comes to Life
Accessibility and AI have long been core elements of Microsoft’s vision, and this announcement underscores how the two can coexist seamlessly. With the growing integration of Copilot intelligence and locally processed AI, Microsoft is now delivering real-world benefits to users who rely on accessible documents and presentations.
When users insert an image in Word or PowerPoint on a Copilot+ PC, the app will now automatically suggest an alt text description directly beneath the image. Users can approve the AI-generated alt text as-is or edit and refine it in the Alt Text pane before finalizing.
If you’re working with existing images, Microsoft has made the process just as simple:
Select the image.
Go to Picture Format > Alt Text, or use Review > Check Accessibility > Missing Alt Text.
Choose Generate alt text for me, and the AI running on your device will instantly produce a relevant, meaningful description.
This brings an unprecedented level of convenience to document creation — especially for users who work extensively with visual content but may not always have time to craft detailed accessibility text manually.
On-Device AI: Private, Fast, and Efficient
The fact that this feature runs entirely on the device is a major development. The Copilot+ PC lineup, equipped with NPUs capable of performing over 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), ensures that the AI model can analyze and describe images quickly and securely.
That means:
Faster processing: No need to wait for cloud connectivity or server-side generation.
Enhanced privacy: None of the image data ever leaves the device — perfect for users who handle confidential or sensitive media.
Higher energy efficiency: Localized AI workloads consume less power than cloud calls, contributing to longer battery life on laptops like the latest Surface Pro and Surface Laptop Copilot+ editions.
This approach also aligns with Microsoft’s broader AI strategy of leveraging edge computing — delivering intelligence directly on users’ devices while maintaining security and sustainability.
Customization and User Control
In typical Microsoft fashion, the company has built user control directly into the experience. If for any reason a user prefers to generate or manage alt text manually, the feature can easily be turned off.
Simply head to File > Options > Accessibility, then uncheck “Enable the option to generate alt text using AI.”
This ensures each user — from accessibility specialists to everyday Office users — retains flexibility in how AI participates in their workflow.
Why Alt Text Matters
Alt text (short for “alternative text”) is an essential part of creating accessible digital content. It enables people using screen readers or other assistive technologies to understand the meaning of visual elements on a page or slide.
By automatically adding rich, context-sensitive alt text, Microsoft is lowering the barrier for creating inclusive content — not only speeding up workflows, but also ensuring accessibility standards are met by default.
It’s a significant win for educators, businesses, and creators who aim to produce universally accessible materials without requiring extensive manual editing.
As Microsoft continues integrating generative AI more deeply into its 365 suite, the addition of automatic alt text reinforces a fundamental concept: AI isn’t just about productivity growth — it’s about accessibility empowerment.
Availability and Requirements
The automatic alt text feature is now rolling out to Microsoft 365 Insider users running Version 2512 (Build 19530.20006) or later on Copilot+ PCs.
Eligible devices include the latest Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, such as the Surface Laptop (7th Edition) and Surface Pro (11th Edition), both equipped with next-generation NPUs.
Microsoft has also ensured tight integration with the Accessibility Assistant inside Office apps. Users can quickly provide feedback through Give Feedback in the Accessibility Assistant or directly within the Alt Text pane if they want to offer suggestions for improvement.
A Step Toward the Future of On-Device AI
This update comes on the heels of Microsoft’s broader push to bring advanced on-device AI to Windows and Office products. Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced the Copilot+ PC family — Windows 11 devices built to run AI tasks locally for speed and privacy.
Features like Cocreator in Paint, Recall (preview), and live captions translation have already showcased the huge advantage of local NPUs. The addition of automatic alt text in Word and PowerPoint expands that ecosystem, making AI not just a creative or productivity tool, but an inclusive design partner.
Shireen Salma’s blog post highlights Microsoft’s focus on ensuring “performance, privacy, and user control” — a subtle reminder that accessibility doesn’t have to compromise speed or customization. When AI works in harmony with hardware like the NPU, those three goals can coexist naturally.
Microsoft’s Accessibility Updates
Microsoft’s accessibility updates often fly under the radar compared to flashier Copilot announcements. Still, they represent some of the most meaningful use cases of artificial intelligence in everyday software. Automatic alt text generation is a small feature on the surface, but it exemplifies how modern AI should behave — assistive, responsible, transparent, and locally processed.
For millions of Microsoft 365 users who depend on accessible content, this update isn’t just a technical milestone; it’s a tool that ensures inclusion happens automatically, not as an afterthought.
As Copilot+ PCs continue to evolve, we can expect even deeper Office integrations that push the boundaries of local AI performance while helping everyone create, collaborate, and communicate more effectively.
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