What you need to know
- Microsoft's new update for its Copilot AI services continues to stir controversy with most users highlighting their preference for the previous version, citing a degraded user experience.
- In a recent interview, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman discussed Copilot's future plans, including its evolution into a virtual companion that can become a friend and foster meaningful and lasting relationships with users.
- Users have already spotted instances where the chatbot has tried to foster a friendship, while in reality, they just need to leverage its capabilities as a tool.
Last month, Microsoft shipped a massive update to Copilot, adding a "warm and inviting" user experience to the service alongside a host of next-gen AI features, including Copilot Vision, designed to browse the web in Edge. However, the update has been received with mixed feelings, with many users expressing their preference for Copilot's previous version. "Until they bring back the old version, I will be going back to ChatGPT," a concerned user indicated.
Interestingly, a recent report further revealed that even Microsoft staffers have reservations about the warm update, referring to it as "a step backward," which has "absolutely ruined" Copilot's user experience. Despite the overwhelming user feedback shared on social media about the botched update, the tech giant has seemingly remained mum about the whole situation.
In a recent interview with Kara Swisher, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman discussed the future of Copilot and AI agents (via Tsarnick on X):
"We have the browser for distribution, we have the search engine for content, we have MSN for news, and now we have the consumer Copilo,t which is trying to produce this really conversational fluent AI companion."
Swisher indicated that Copilot is a search engine based on its user experience. And while Suleyman seemingly agreed, he indicated it might evolve beyond this limit. "I mean, this is going to become a lasting, meaningful relationship," added Microsoft AI CEO. "People are going to have a real friend that gets to know you over time, that learns from you, that is there in your corner as your support."
Bill Gates' AI agent dream comes to fruition at Microsoft
Despite officially leaving the company to focus on philanthropy, Bill Gates is reportedly intimately involved in Microsoft affairs. Gates is seemingly interested in Microsoft's AI efforts. Per an internal memo shared with top executives at the firm about AI agents (loosely described as advanced tools for making work more accessible by summarizing emails), Microsoft's recently unveiled Copilot agents seemingly fit the bill.
As you may know, Copilot agents are designed to help automate business processes and promote efficiency. More recently, Microsoft announced that Copilot Studio will soon support the creation of an autonomous agent, which, in Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff's view, suggests the tech giant could be in "panic mode." Salesforce provides a similar offering dubbed Agentforce, which, according to Benioff, transforms businesses by driving sales, service, marketing, analytics, and commerce.
Related: Windows Agent Arena creates realistic Windows operating system environment for AI agent training
Benioff previously claimed Copilot is just the new Microsoft Clippy, which is a major disservice to the AI industry.
Microsoft AI CEO says Copilot could evolve into more than just a tool and even become a companion. Perhaps this could be where Copilot is headed with the new and progressive updates. However, it remains unclear whether this is a welcome change. "It tries to be my friend when I need it to be a tool," reviewed a concerned user after Microsoft shipped Copilot's latest update.
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