When it comes to breaking barriers, Microsoft has consistently aimed high—and its recent showcase at the Microsoft AI Tour in Bengaluru, India, is no exception. The event not only highlighted the transformative potential of AI-enhanced workflows through GitHub Copilot Workspace but also struck a personal chord with attendees. How, you ask? By demonstrating code prompts in regional Indian languages, including Kannada and Hindi, Microsoft is making a bold leap into a multilingual future for coding. Let’s dive into the details!
At the event, Karan MV, GitHub's influential director of international developer relations, took the stage to demonstrate how GitHub Copilot Workspace supports natural language programming prompts, even in Indian languages. Imagine asking a complex coding question in Kannada—your native tongue—and having an AI immediately generate feature-building solutions and even the code itself. That’s precisely what happened.
The high point? Karan asked Copilot, in Kannada, to generate a feature allowing image previews after an upload. The query—“Image upload madidamele adara preview thorsi” (in English: “Show me a preview of the image once it is uploaded”)—was seamlessly processed by the tool. Not only did Copilot grasp the request, but it also executed the task perfectly, drafting the relevant functionality.
Through examples like this, Microsoft showcased how local language supports make programming accessible to developers who may not be fully proficient in English. Considering that, in recent studies, about 67% of Indian engineering grads lack professional fluency in English, the need for inclusive, multilingual tools is urgent.
While GitHub Copilot might already be familiar to many as an AI-powered coding assistant, GitHub Copilot Workspace takes things up a notch. It’s a broader platform explicitly designed to augment the entire development lifecycle. Whether brainstorming new coding ideas or automating error debugging, Copilot Workspace doesn’t just churn out code—it becomes a collaborative partner.
Here's what it brings to the table:
Microsoft’s decision to highlight Kannada wasn’t a coincidence. Bengaluru, the vibrant tech hub of Karnataka, is home to 360,000+ software developers. It’s also a city brimming with diverse linguistic talent, with Kannada serving as the official state language.
India, with its 17 million GitHub users (the second-largest globally), represents a thriving but under-supported market for developers in terms of tools that cater to their local needs. Moreover, since India has a multilingual populace with proficiency in regional tongues far outstripping English in many areas, Microsoft’s innovation isn’t just strategic—it’s essential.
This also aligns with Microsoft's broader mission of democratizing technology. CEO Satya Nadella explained the vision, saying, “Think about this—every person can now start programming, whether it’s in Hindi, Brazilian, or Portuguese, and bring back the joy of coding in their native language.”
One critical aspect Microsoft highlighted was how prompts in native languages must be exceptionally clear and contextually accurate. Former NVIDIA AI engineer Bojan Tunguz captured the challenge aptly: “Good prompts require a decent mastery of the language… the best results are directly proportional to the clarity of the input commands.”
Let’s unpack this:
Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels after introducing language support. GitHub’s development team has rolled out over 100 new features to Copilot Workspace, consolidating the idea that it’s the "developer environment of the future." Check out these game-changing advancements:
Microsoft’s investment in multilingual coding tools hints at a broader reality: the world of software development is transforming. Programming—once considered a domain of English-dominated terminology—is evolving to represent humanity’s linguistic diversity. And why stop at Kannada or Hindi? As AI models grow smarter, we might see Copilot supporting Tamil, Mandarin, or Swahili.
Why It Matters:
The democratization of coding opens doors to untapped talent pools. Imagine rural Indian developers building world-class applications in their regional dialects, or businesses deploying solutions in languages their communities truly understand. The barriers between accessibility and productivity are being broken, one line of localized code at a time.
For you, as a Windows developer or enthusiast, GitHub Copilot Workspace’s newfound support for natural language coding offers a fresh avenue to streamline workflows. Whether your primary language is English or something else, many of us can resonate with the desire for simplicity in coding. It turns out, AI’s fluency in diverse languages could become our next best ally.
Here's what you can do:
Final Thought
Watch this space! With Microsoft making strides in bringing AI and coding closer to everyday people, tools like GitHub Copilot Workspace represent a turning point. Whether you’re a professional coder or someone just stepping into the tech world, this innovation could redefine how we create, collaborate, and, above all, communicate with computers.
What’s your take? Will regional language support influence your coding strategy? Head over to the forum discussion and let us know!
Source: Analytics India Magazine Microsoft Shows How to Code in Kannada
Key Spotlight: Writing Code in Kannada with GitHub Copilot
At the event, Karan MV, GitHub's influential director of international developer relations, took the stage to demonstrate how GitHub Copilot Workspace supports natural language programming prompts, even in Indian languages. Imagine asking a complex coding question in Kannada—your native tongue—and having an AI immediately generate feature-building solutions and even the code itself. That’s precisely what happened.The high point? Karan asked Copilot, in Kannada, to generate a feature allowing image previews after an upload. The query—“Image upload madidamele adara preview thorsi” (in English: “Show me a preview of the image once it is uploaded”)—was seamlessly processed by the tool. Not only did Copilot grasp the request, but it also executed the task perfectly, drafting the relevant functionality.
Through examples like this, Microsoft showcased how local language supports make programming accessible to developers who may not be fully proficient in English. Considering that, in recent studies, about 67% of Indian engineering grads lack professional fluency in English, the need for inclusive, multilingual tools is urgent.
What is GitHub Copilot Workspace, Exactly?
While GitHub Copilot might already be familiar to many as an AI-powered coding assistant, GitHub Copilot Workspace takes things up a notch. It’s a broader platform explicitly designed to augment the entire development lifecycle. Whether brainstorming new coding ideas or automating error debugging, Copilot Workspace doesn’t just churn out code—it becomes a collaborative partner.Here's what it brings to the table:
- Natural Language Understandability: You can give commands or ask for code snippets using conversational language—no need to stick to jargon-heavy prompts.
- Multilingual Flexibility: With support for languages like Kannada, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, and more, coding is becoming accessible to millions of non-English speakers worldwide.
- Brainstorming Mode: Collaborate on repository-wide plans, troubleshoot code issues, and get creative with AI-generated suggestions.
- Automated Error Repair: Copilot doesn’t just suggest fixes—it can autonomously implement them or let you fine-tune adjustments manually.
Why India? A Strategic Move
Microsoft’s decision to highlight Kannada wasn’t a coincidence. Bengaluru, the vibrant tech hub of Karnataka, is home to 360,000+ software developers. It’s also a city brimming with diverse linguistic talent, with Kannada serving as the official state language.India, with its 17 million GitHub users (the second-largest globally), represents a thriving but under-supported market for developers in terms of tools that cater to their local needs. Moreover, since India has a multilingual populace with proficiency in regional tongues far outstripping English in many areas, Microsoft’s innovation isn’t just strategic—it’s essential.
This also aligns with Microsoft's broader mission of democratizing technology. CEO Satya Nadella explained the vision, saying, “Think about this—every person can now start programming, whether it’s in Hindi, Brazilian, or Portuguese, and bring back the joy of coding in their native language.”
Unlocking Challenges in Non-English Programming
One critical aspect Microsoft highlighted was how prompts in native languages must be exceptionally clear and contextually accurate. Former NVIDIA AI engineer Bojan Tunguz captured the challenge aptly: “Good prompts require a decent mastery of the language… the best results are directly proportional to the clarity of the input commands.”Let’s unpack this:
- Language Clarity: When developers give AI tools vague prompts, the tool’s output might not align with expectations.
- Building Inclusivity: Regional language support can bridge gaps caused by the lack of English proficiency, but tools like Copilot must understand local syntax nuances and cultural context as well.
Technical Advancements: What Else is New in Copilot
Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels after introducing language support. GitHub’s development team has rolled out over 100 new features to Copilot Workspace, consolidating the idea that it’s the "developer environment of the future." Check out these game-changing advancements:- Free Access in VS Code: Yes, Visual Studio Code users now enjoy free integration with GitHub Copilot—lowering yet another barrier to entry.
- Brainstorming Mode Additions: GitHub’s enhanced brainstorming features encourage collaboration while surfacing creative solutions to programming challenges.
- Seamless Error Debugging: Say "goodbye" to runtime error headaches. Copilot Workspace helps identify and even fix issues, often before you notice them.
The Big Picture: Is Multilingual AI Programming the Future?
Microsoft’s investment in multilingual coding tools hints at a broader reality: the world of software development is transforming. Programming—once considered a domain of English-dominated terminology—is evolving to represent humanity’s linguistic diversity. And why stop at Kannada or Hindi? As AI models grow smarter, we might see Copilot supporting Tamil, Mandarin, or Swahili.Why It Matters:
The democratization of coding opens doors to untapped talent pools. Imagine rural Indian developers building world-class applications in their regional dialects, or businesses deploying solutions in languages their communities truly understand. The barriers between accessibility and productivity are being broken, one line of localized code at a time.
What Does It Mean for WindowsForum.com Users?
For you, as a Windows developer or enthusiast, GitHub Copilot Workspace’s newfound support for natural language coding offers a fresh avenue to streamline workflows. Whether your primary language is English or something else, many of us can resonate with the desire for simplicity in coding. It turns out, AI’s fluency in diverse languages could become our next best ally.Here's what you can do:
- Experiment with Regional Prompts: Have fun testing out coding solutions in your native language! This exercise might even spark innovative use cases.
- Integrate AI Debugging: Take advantage of Copilot’s error-fixing abilities to save precious time.
- Join the Revolution: Look out for updates on multilingual AI from Microsoft as it rolls further features into the Workspace.
Final Thought 
Watch this space! With Microsoft making strides in bringing AI and coding closer to everyday people, tools like GitHub Copilot Workspace represent a turning point. Whether you’re a professional coder or someone just stepping into the tech world, this innovation could redefine how we create, collaborate, and, above all, communicate with computers.What’s your take? Will regional language support influence your coding strategy? Head over to the forum discussion and let us know!
Source: Analytics India Magazine Microsoft Shows How to Code in Kannada
