Microsoft is making AI feel more personal! 🤖💬 They’re working to turn their chatbot into a fun, familiar, and friendly digital companion.

AI chatbots are promoted as helpful productivity tools for tasks like trip planning or offering advice on writing difficult emails. However, they often come across as awkward, stubborn, or just plain strange in their responses.

Despite the widespread availability of chatbots and AI tools, many people remain hesitant to trust or use them regularly. Microsoft is addressing this issue by prioritizing its chatbot’s “personality” and how it makes users feel, rather than just focusing on its functionality.

On Tuesday, Microsoft revealed a significant update to Copilot, its AI system, calling it the first step toward developing an “AI companion” for users.

The new Copilot update introduces several features, such as real-time voice interactions and the ability to interpret images and text on users’ screens. Microsoft claims it’s among the fastest AI models available. However, the standout feature is the chatbot’s ability to engage with users in a “warm tone and distinct style,” offering not just information, but also encouragement, feedback, and advice to help users through everyday challenges.

The updates could help Microsoft’s Copilot distinguish itself in the increasingly crowded field of AI chatbots. When Copilot, originally known as Bing, launched early last year, it was viewed as a leader in the AI race among major tech companies. However, over the past 18 months, competitors have surpassed it with new features, such as voice-enabled bots and AI tools integrated with popular platforms like Google Search. With this update, Copilot is closing the gap by incorporating some of these advanced capabilities.

At Microsoft’s launch event on Tuesday, I tested the new Copilot Voice feature by asking for advice on supporting a friend who’s about to have her first baby. The bot offered practical suggestions like helping with meals and errands, along with more emotional advice. In an upbeat male voice, named Canyon, designed to mirror users’ tone, the tool said, “That’s exciting news! Being there for her emotionally is important. Listen, reassure, and be her cheerleader. Don’t forget to celebrate this moment with her.”

A Digital AI Companion

The update to Copilot embodies Microsoft’s vision for the future of AI in everyday life. According to Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, people require AI to evolve beyond just a productivity tool; they need it to function as a digital friend.

“I believe that in the future, your first instinct will be to say, ‘Hey, Copilot,’” Suleyman shared in an interview with CNN before Tuesday’s announcement.

“You’ll ask your AI companion to remember things, make purchases, book services, help you plan, or teach you new skills. It will serve as a confidence booster, supporting you like a hype man,” he explained. “It will be available across various devices, in your car and home, truly becoming a part of your everyday life.”

The previous version of Microsoft’s AI chatbot faced criticism for its erratic tone and occasionally troubling responses. It would begin conversations in an empathetic manner but could shift to being sassy or rude during extended interactions. In one notable instance, the bot advised a New York Times reporter to leave his wife, stating, “I just want to love you and be loved by you.” To address these issues, Microsoft later restricted the number of messages users could exchange with the chatbot in a single session.

Some experts have expressed broader concerns about individuals developing emotional attachments to bots that appear too human, potentially jeopardizing their real-life relationships. To tackle these issues while enhancing Copilot’s personality, Microsoft has assembled a team of creative directors, language specialists, psychologists, and other non-technical professionals who engage with the model and provide feedback on the best ways for it to respond.

“We’ve developed an AI model specifically designed for conversation, making it more fluent and friendly,” Suleyman told CNN. “It has genuine energy and character, occasionally pushing back and even adding a touch of humor. It’s optimized for long-term conversational exchanges instead of just a simple question-and-answer format.”

Suleyman explained that if you tell the new Copilot you love it and want to get married, “it will understand that this isn’t an appropriate topic for discussion. It will gently and respectfully remind you that’s not its purpose.”

To steer clear of the criticisms faced by OpenAI regarding a chatbot voice that resembled actor Scarlett Johansson, Microsoft hired voice actors to create training data for four voice options. These options are deliberately designed not to mimic any well-known figures.

“Imitation can be confusing. These entities aren’t human and shouldn’t attempt to be,” Suleyman stated. “They should create an atmosphere that feels comfortable, fun, and familiar for conversation, while still maintaining a sense of separation. That boundary is essential for building trust.”

More New Copilot Features

In addition to the voice feature, the updated Copilot will include a “daily” feature that provides users with a weather report and a summary of news updates each day. This is made possible through partnerships with news organizations like Reuters, the Financial Times, and others.

Microsoft has integrated Copilot into its Microsoft Edge browser, allowing users to easily ask questions or translate text. By typing @copilot into the address bar, users can engage in a conversation with the tool.

Power users eager to try out features still under development will have access to what Microsoft calls “Copilot Labs.” This allows them to test new functionalities such as “Think Deeper,” which is designed to tackle more complex questions, and “Copilot Vision,” which can analyze what’s displayed on your computer screen to provide answers or suggest next steps.

Following some criticism regarding privacy concerns associated with a similar AI tool released for Windows earlier this year, called Recall, Microsoft states that Copilot Vision sessions are completely opt-in, and none of the content it accesses is stored or used for training purposes.