Getting out in front of the massive job displacement that AI tools such as Copilot are causing, Microsoft today unveiled its newest embedded computing platform: Copilot+EBT Card — an AI-powered ARM-based device small enough to be embedded directly into a food stamp card.
Using Azure IoT and a Bluetooth chip, it can pair with your phone and provide recommendations and assistance while at the grocery store.
The new head of Windows and Surface devices, Pavan Davuluri, announced the device during his Build 2025 keynote, calling it “a transformational opportunity to delight users in their journey from middle class to government assistance.”
”AI-related job losses are skyrocketing,” Davuluri said, “and we anticipate a surge in EBT applications. This presents a tremendous market opportunity for Microsoft to reach customers right where they are — in the checkout line, holding a frozen pizza.”
Citing the features, Pavuluri said: “Users can use voice to text prompting to check their EBT balance, ask if that bottle of Jack Daniel’s in the cart is EBT eligible or not, and in our new partnership with Safeway, get exclusive Safeway For U discount pricing as you check out!”
Using the features on the card will automatically debit the EBT card balance by about 3000 AI tokens per transaction, or approximately the cost of a bag of shredded cheese and can of store brand soda.
In a leaked internal memo to employees, CEO Satya Nadella shared enthusiasm for the new venture:
From: Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft
To: All Employees
Subject: Accelerating Growth into Emerging Poverty Markets
Team,
Over the past year, we have witnessed Copilot fundamentally transform productivity by doing for jobs what Microsoft Excel did for secretaries in the ’90s. While some may see this as a societal challenge, at Microsoft we see it as a customer acquisition opportunity.
Today, I’m excited to share our bold new initiative: Copilot+EBT Card. This embedded AI platform represents our commitment to serving customers across all income segments — from high-net-worth enterprise executives to individuals whose annual income is now a Safeway Club Card discount.
Our vision is simple: Democratize unemployment for every household on the planet. By leveraging Azure IoT, ARM microchips, and our deep expertise in making humans redundant, we can ensure that no matter where someone’s career ends, their relationship with Microsoft will continue uninterrupted.
This is not merely product innovation — it’s category creation. By becoming the first major tech company to integrate with EBT at the silicon level, we’re ensuring our long-term relevance in an AI economy we are proudly accelerating.
Remember: every job Copilot eliminates is not just a cost saving for our enterprise customers — it’s a potential Copilot+EBT Card user. Let’s lean into that synergy and start driving EBT MAU!
Stay ambitious,
Satya