AI features on a PC are built-in capabilities that use artificial intelligence to improve everyday tasks automatically, such as cleaning up background noise on calls, keeping you centered on camera, and adjusting performance and battery use to match what you are doing. They run quietly in the background, so you get better results without changing settings by hand.
Most AI features rely on trained machine learning models that recognize patterns in sound, images, or system activity. On an AI PC, many of these features run on the device itself, often on a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU).
This guide explains the most common AI features on PCs, including noise cancellation, auto framing, and AI-enhanced performance, and how to find and turn them on.
How do AI features work on a PC?
AI features work by running trained models on live input, such as your microphone, camera, or system sensors, and acting on what the model detects in real time. A noise cancellation model, for example, has learned the difference between a human voice and a barking dog, so it can keep one and remove the other.
An AI PC shares this work among three processors:
NPU: Handles features that run continuously, such as camera effects and noise suppression during a call, using very little power.
CPU: Coordinates tasks and runs lighter AI jobs quickly.
GPU: Takes on heavier visual work, such as image editing or video upscaling.
Because most of these features run on the device rather than in the cloud, they respond instantly, work offline, and keep your audio and video on your computer. Our on-device AI vs. cloud AI guide explains why that matters.
AI noise cancellation
AI noise cancellation is a feature that uses machine learning to separate your voice from background sounds and remove the noise in real time. It helps you sound clear on calls even when there is typing, traffic, a fan, or conversation nearby.
How AI noise cancellation works
Traditional noise reduction filters out steady sounds, such as a humming air conditioner, but struggles with sudden or changing noise. AI noise cancellation uses a model trained on large amounts of recorded speech and noise. It learns what a human voice sounds like, so it can keep your voice and suppress almost everything else, including unpredictable sounds like a dog barking or a door closing.
Many PCs apply AI noise cancellation in two directions:
Outgoing audio: Cleans up your microphone so other people on the call hear only your voice.
Incoming audio: Reduces noise coming from other participants, so you hear them more clearly.
Where you will find it
On Windows PCs with an NPU, Windows Studio Effects includes a feature called Voice focus that isolates your voice and minimizes background noise (Microsoft Support). Many HP AI PCs also include AI background noise removal (HP), and video-calling apps often offer their own noise suppression settings.
AI noise cancellation vs. active noise cancellation
AI noise cancellation on a PC cleans up audio for calls and recordings. Active noise cancellation (ANC) in headphones is different: it uses microphones and opposing sound waves to block outside noise from reaching your ears. Many people use both together.
Auto framing and other AI camera features
Auto framing is an AI camera feature that detects your face and body and automatically crops and zooms the video to keep you centered in the frame, even as you move. It works like a virtual camera operator, so you stay in view whether you lean back, shift in your seat, or stand up.
How auto framing works
A computer vision model analyzes each video frame to find where you are. The PC then adjusts the crop and zoom smoothly, using the camera's full sensor area, so the camera itself does not need to move. Running this on the NPU lets it work continuously through a long call without slowing the PC or draining the battery quickly.
Other common AI camera features
Background blur: Softens everything behind you to hide clutter and keep attention on you. Some PCs offer a stronger portrait-style blur.
Background replacement: Swaps your real background for an image or a cleaner version of your room.
Eye contact correction: Adjusts your gaze so you appear to look at the camera while you read your screen.
Lighting correction: Brightens your face and balances color in dim or uneven light.
Presenter or spotlight modes: Keep you visible alongside shared content or follow a second camera aimed at a whiteboard.
Windows Studio Effects includes background effects, eye contact, and automatic framing on PCs with an NPU (Microsoft Support). On many HP AI PCs, Poly Camera Pro uses the NPU to power features such as auto framing, Spotlight, and background blur and replacement, while preserving CPU performance and battery life (HP press release).
AI-enhanced performance
AI-enhanced performance is the use of machine learning to tune how a PC runs, balancing speed, temperature, fan noise, and battery life automatically based on what you are doing. Instead of choosing one fixed power mode, the PC learns your patterns and adjusts in real time.
How AI-enhanced performance works
The PC continuously monitors signals such as which apps are open, how hard the processors are working, the internal temperature, whether it is plugged in, and even whether it is sitting on a desk or on your lap. A model uses these signals to predict what you need next and adjusts settings to match. For example, it might:
Boost performance when you open a demanding app, such as a video editor or a large spreadsheet
Quiet the fans during a video call or when you are reading
Lower surface temperature when the laptop is on your lap
Extend battery life by reducing power to background tasks when you are working unplugged
Shift AI work to the NPU so the CPU and GPU stay free for your main apps
HP Smart Sense is one example. It learns how you work and adapts in real time (HP), adjusting performance, fan behavior, and battery use for the task at hand.
Why it matters
AI-enhanced performance means you do not have to trade one thing for another by hand. You get more speed when you need it, quieter and cooler operation when you do not, and longer battery life overall, without changing settings yourself.
Other common AI features on PCs
Beyond audio, camera, and performance, AI PCs include a growing set of features for productivity, accessibility, and security:
Live captions and translation: Spoken audio from calls, videos, or the room is captioned on screen, and some PCs can translate it into another language in real time.
Smarter search: Find files, photos, and settings by describing them in everyday words instead of remembering exact names.
On-device writing help: Built-in tools can summarize, rewrite, or adjust the tone of text, often using a small language model that runs locally.
Image creation and editing: Generate images, remove objects from photos, change backgrounds, or upscale low-resolution pictures.
AI assistants: Built-in assistants answer questions about your PC, help change settings, and work with your files. HP AI PCs include HP AI Companion, an assistant designed for productivity, privacy, and security (HP). See our AI assistants guide.
Presence-aware security: The PC can lock when you walk away, wake when you return, and alert you when someone is looking over your shoulder. HP calls these features auto lock and wake and onlooker detection (HP).
Accessibility: Voice access, read-aloud tools, and eye-tracking support make the PC easier to use for people with different needs.
Our AI privacy and security guide covers how to manage features that use your camera, microphone, or files.
AI features at a glance
Feature | What it does | Where it helps most | Usually runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
AI noise cancellation | Removes background noise and keeps your voice clear | Calls in busy homes, offices, and cafés | NPU |
Auto framing | Keeps you centered on camera as you move | Video calls and presentations | NPU |
Background blur and replacement | Hides or replaces what is behind you | Calls from shared or cluttered spaces | NPU |
Eye contact correction | Makes you appear to look at the camera | Presentations and interviews | NPU |
AI-enhanced performance | Balances speed, heat, fan noise, and battery | All-day use, especially on battery | CPU and NPU |
Live captions and translation | Turns speech into on-screen text, with optional translation | Meetings, videos, accessibility | NPU |
On-device writing help | Summarizes and rewrites text locally | Email, documents, notes | NPU |
Image editing and generation | Edits, upscales, or creates images | Creative and marketing work | GPU and NPU |
Presence-aware security | Locks, wakes, and warns about onlookers | Working in public or shared spaces | NPU and sensors |
How to find and turn on AI features
Most AI features are built into the operating system, the PC maker's software, or the apps you use. Here is where to look:
Windows Quick Settings. On PCs that support Windows Studio Effects, select the network, sound, or battery icons on the taskbar and look for the Studio Effects tile to turn camera and voice effects on or off.
Windows Camera app. Open the Camera app and select the Windows Studio Effects icon to preview and adjust effects such as background blur, eye contact, and automatic framing (Microsoft Support).
PC maker software. HP AI PCs include apps such as HP AI Companion and Poly Camera Pro for assistant, camera, and audio settings. Check the preinstalled software on your PC.
Video-calling apps. Most calling apps include their own noise suppression and background settings. If both the app and your PC apply effects, turn one off to avoid doubling up.
Keep software updated. New AI features and improvements often arrive through Windows, driver, and app updates.
If a feature is missing, your PC may not have a compatible NPU or camera. Our NPU guide explains how to check whether your PC has one.
AI features frequently asked questions
Do I need an AI PC to use AI features?
Not for every feature. Many video-calling apps offer basic noise suppression and background blur that run on any modern PC. However, features such as Windows Studio Effects require an NPU, and AI PCs run AI features more efficiently, with less impact on battery life and performance. See our AI PC guide.
Do AI features slow down my computer?
On an AI PC, AI features typically run on the NPU, which is designed to handle them with little impact on other apps. On PCs without an NPU, the same features run on the CPU or GPU and can use more power and processing capacity.
Do AI camera and audio features work in every app?
Features built into the operating system or the PC's camera software, such as Windows Studio Effects, usually work across apps that use your camera and microphone, including popular video-calling apps. Features built into a single app only work in that app.
Are AI features private?
Most camera, audio, and performance features process data on your device, so your video and voice are not sent to the cloud for those effects. Features that connect to online services may send data off the device. Review each feature's privacy settings, and see our AI privacy and security guide.
Do AI features affect battery life?
AI features use some power, but running them on an NPU uses far less than running them on the CPU or GPU. AI-enhanced performance features can also extend battery life by managing power more efficiently.
What is the difference between auto framing and face tracking?
They are closely related. Face tracking detects where your face is in the video. Auto framing uses that information to crop and zoom the image so you stay centered and properly sized in the frame.
Can I turn AI features off?
Yes. Camera and audio effects can be turned off in Windows settings, your PC maker's software, or the calling app. Performance features can usually be adjusted or set to a fixed mode in the PC's system software.
Related AI glossary guides
AI glossary: Definitions of key AI terms in one place
AI PCs: What makes a PC an AI PC and what to look for
Neural processing units (NPUs): The processor that powers most AI features
On-device AI vs. cloud AI: Why many AI features run locally
AI assistants: Built-in assistants and how to use them
AI privacy and security: How to manage AI features that use your camera, microphone, or files
