Microsoft has announced a significant update to its Copilot AI assistant, introducing voice and vision features designed to create a more personalized and interactive user experience. The overhaul, which is being rolled out across mobile, web, and desktop platforms, promises to revolutionize the way people interact with AI, turning Copilot into a true virtual companion.
A More Human-Like AI Assistant
The most striking feature of the redesign is the integration of voice capabilities, allowing users to converse with Copilot in a more natural way, akin to chatting with a friend. Copilot will now offer four different voice options, and users are invited to choose one that suits their preferences when they first access the updated experience. This move aligns with Microsoft’s goal of making AI more user-friendly and personalized.
“We’re making a huge bet on voice,” said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer. “When you start using it, you see glimmers of where AI is going, allowing users to communicate with it in a more intuitive, human way.”
Copilot Vision: An AI That Sees What You See
In addition to voice interaction, Microsoft is introducing Copilot Vision, an innovative feature that enables the AI assistant to interpret and respond to visual content. By using this feature, Copilot can analyze what users are viewing on their screens and provide relevant information or suggestions. Whether it’s shopping for products online or analyzing a photo of a handwritten recipe, Copilot Vision enhances the AI’s ability to assist users in real-time.
These features are part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to create an AI companion that seamlessly integrates into everyday life. “At Microsoft AI, we are creating an AI companion for everyone,” said Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI. “We believe this can usher in a calmer, more supportive era of technology, unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
Inspired by Inflection AI’s Pi
The redesign of Copilot borrows heavily from the work of Inflection AI, particularly its Pi AI assistant. Microsoft hired several employees from Inflection AI earlier this year, including Google DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman, who now leads Microsoft AI’s consumer division. His influence has been key in shaping this latest evolution of Copilot.
Yusuf Mehdi acknowledged this in a recent interview, stating, “What we’ve learned from the Pi team and the Inflection AI folks is their attention to detail in understanding customer needs. This has certainly influenced the redesign of Copilot.”
Copilot Daily: Your AI News and Weather Anchor
Another major feature in the new Copilot experience is Copilot Daily, a personalized news and weather update delivered in an audio format. Copilot acts as a virtual news presenter, offering users a brief yet comprehensive summary of the day’s headlines. Microsoft has partnered with trusted sources such as Reuters, the Financial Times, and Axel Springer to ensure the quality and accuracy of the content.
For now, Copilot Daily is only available in the US and UK, but Microsoft has plans to expand the service to other regions in the near future.
Complex Questions? Copilot’s New “Think Deeper” Feature Has You Covered
One of the most exciting additions to Copilot is the Think Deeper feature, which allows the AI assistant to process and answer more complex queries. Whether users are comparing options like moving to New York or San Francisco, or asking in-depth questions, Think Deeper is designed to provide detailed, step-by-step answers.
This feature is still in development and will be available for testing through Copilot Labs, a platform for users to trial experimental features and provide feedback. Microsoft is keen to avoid the privacy concerns that plagued earlier versions of Copilot, particularly regarding the now-overhauled Recall feature.
A Future of Personalized AI Companions
The new features are just the beginning of Microsoft’s ambitious vision for Copilot. According to Mustafa Suleyman, Copilot is set to evolve into a dynamic, highly personalized AI companion that can adapt to users’ individual preferences and needs.
“Over time, it will adapt to your mannerisms and develop capabilities built around your preferences,” said Suleyman. “We are not creating a static tool so much as establishing a dynamic, emergent, and evolving interaction.”
Available Now
The updated Copilot experience is rolling out today across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms, with voice capabilities initially available in English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Microsoft plans to extend these features to more regions and languages soon.
As Copilot continues to evolve, Microsoft is positioning itself at the forefront of the AI revolution, offering users a more engaging and intuitive way to interact with technology.
This groundbreaking update to Copilot marks a significant shift in how we use AI, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized technology. With its new voice and vision capabilities, Microsoft’s Copilot is not just an assistant—it’s becoming a virtual companion.