At the 2025 Build Conference, Microsoft announced a significant expansion of its Edge browser's capabilities with new artificial intelligence APIs. These tools aim to empower developers to create smarter web applications while positioning Edge as a stronger competitor against Chrome in the AI-powered browsing space.

The centerpiece of this update is access to Phi4mini, Microsoft's lightweight AI model launched in February. With 3.8 billion parameters, this model specializes in mathematical problem-solving while remaining efficient enough for everyday devices. "We're focused on delivering AI that works where our users work," a Microsoft spokesperson explained, highlighting the balance between performance and accessibility.

Beyond mathematical functions, the new API suite includes writing assistance tools capable of text generation, summarization, and editing. Developers can expect a translation API in coming months, enabling real-time language conversion directly within web applications.

What sets these tools apart is their local processing capability. "For industries handling sensitive data, these APIs process information on-device rather than sending it to external servers," the company noted in its announcement. This approach addresses growing privacy concerns while maintaining functionality.

The features are currently available through Edge's Canary and Dev channels, giving developers early access to experiment with implementations. Microsoft envisions these tools evolving into web standards compatible across browsers and platforms.

In a parallel development, Edge will soon introduce PDF translation supporting over 70 languages. Users simply open a PDF in the browser and select their target language from the address bar. While launching officially next month, adventurous testers can try it today through Canary builds.

These moves signal Microsoft's intensified focus on AI integration at the browser level. As web applications grow more sophisticated, such developer tools could determine which platforms gain dominance in the evolving digital landscape.

Key Points

1. Microsoft Edge now offers APIs for integrating Phi4mini and other AI models into web applications
2. New writing assistance tools enable text generation and editing capabilities
3. Local processing ensures data privacy for sensitive applications
4. PDF translation feature supports over 70 languages, coming next month
5. Early access available through Edge Canary and Dev channels