Microsoft's Consumer Copilot: A Friendly AI Assistant With a Personal Touch

Microsoft has updated its AI assistant, Copilot, to have a more personable voice and the ability to analyze web pages. Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft AI, is leading this initiative with creative experts. The feature rollout, starting Tuesday, aims to distinguish Microsoft in the consumer AI space dominated by competitors like Google and OpenAI.

Microsoft has introduced a more amicable voice for its AI assistant, Copilot, in its latest update. This chatbot now not only engages users warmly but also analyzes web pages they browse.

Mustafa Suleyman, chief executive of Microsoft AI, shared that a diverse team of creative professionals, including psychologists, novelists, and comedians, have refined Copilot's tone and style. In one demonstration, Copilot recommended Italian olive oils as a thoughtful housewarming gift.

Starting Tuesday, the new features will roll out under Suleyman's leadership. These changes aim to make a substantial impact in the consumer market, where Microsoft faces stiff competition from Google and OpenAI. Copilot's user experience now feels more interactive, offering verbal affirmations like 'cool' and 'huh.'

Built on Microsoft's AI models and OpenAI's tech suite, Copilot Pro, available for $20 monthly, includes advanced features like 'Think Deeper' and 'Copilot Vision'. With these updates, Microsoft hopes to make Copilot an 'ever-present confidant'. Suleyman indicated that future updates might allow Copilot to leverage insights from various consumer interactions, pending user consent.

Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder, has expressed particular interest in Copilot's capabilities. Suleyman assured that they are continually working on enhancements, including one that can read and parse emails.

(With inputs from agencies.)