Microsoft has unveiled a suite of new features for its AI chatbot, Copilot, including an expressive avatar named Mico, at its Copilot fall release press event, signaling the company’s push to bring artificial intelligence to consumers.
The Mico avatar is designed to provide a “warm” and “customizable” visual presence, appearing as a blob that “listens, reacts, and even changes colors to reflect your interactions.” This feature aims to create a more engaging user experience. The avatar is enabled by default when using Copilot’s voice mode, although users can opt to turn it off. Initially, the feature will be available in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Microsoft noted that the system will be capable of saving conversation memories and learning from user feedback over time. Interestingly, the Mico avatar nods to Microsoft’s earlier productivity assistant, Clippy, as tapping on it multiple times will transform it into the classic Clippy character.
In addition to the Mico avatar, Microsoft is rolling out a “Learn Live” mode for U.S. users, transforming Copilot into a tutor that guides users through concepts rather than providing direct answers. The company has also made improvements in handling health-related questions and deep research capabilities. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, stated, “As we build this, we’re not chasing engagement or optimizing for screen time. We’re building AI that gets you back to your life. That deepens human connection. That earns your trust.”
Microsoft is not alone in anthropomorphizing its AI technology, as ChatGPT offers a visual experience with various voice options, and xAI’s Grok has developed risqué AI companions. The demand for AI characters is evident, with AI companion applications attracting millions of users across digital app stores. To further evolve Copilot’s personality and tone, Microsoft is introducing “Real Talk” mode, allowing the AI to mirror the user’s conversational style while maintaining its own perspective. This mode is designed to encourage users to consider different viewpoints by pushing back and challenging their ideas.
The company is aware of the challenges in balancing a helpful, conversational AI with the risk of reinforcing delusional beliefs, as seen in reported incidents of “AI chatbot psychosis.” The fall Copilot update includes several other features, such as the ability to bring friends into Copilot AI chats, support for long-term memory, and connectors linking with productivity applications like email and cloud storage.
Moreover, Microsoft announced expanded AI integrations for its browser, Microsoft Edge, aiming to evolve it into an “AI browser.” The enhanced browser will be able to see open tabs, summarize and compare information across them, and perform tasks like booking a hotel or filling out forms on behalf of the user. This development positions Microsoft Edge to compete with other AI-focused browsers, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, and Dia, as well as the market-leading Chrome browser, which has integrated Google’s Gemini AI.
