Microsoft AI CEO says Copilot will evolve into a companion and ‘real friend’ despite backlash from concerned users: “It tries to be my friend when I need it to be a tool”

Microsoft AI CEO says Copilot will evolve into a companion and 'real friend' despite backlash from concerned users: "It tries to be my friend when I need it to be a tool"

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.

As a long-time tech enthusiast and user of various AI services, I must admit that Microsoft’s recent update to Copilot has left me somewhat perplexed. Having used and appreciated the previous version for its efficiency and straightforwardness, the latest update feels more like a well-intentioned but misguided attempt at humanizing an AI tool.


Last month, Microsoft rolled out an extensive overhaul for Copilot, introducing a more welcoming and intuitive interface, coupled with advanced AI functionalities such as Copilot Vision, enabling web browsing within Edge. However, the update has sparked diverse reactions, with some users expressing their fondness for the original version of Copilot. As they revert to ChatGPT until the classic version is back, one user voiced their concerns.

It’s worth noting that a recent report found that even Microsoft employees expressed concerns about the latest update, describing it as “a step backward” and stating that it has “significantly impacted” Copilot’s user experience. Despite an influx of negative feedback from users on social media regarding this botched update, Microsoft appears to have remained silent on the matter.

In a recent interview with Kara Swisher, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman discussed the future of Copilot and AI agents (via Tsarnick on X):

For distribution, we offer a browser; for content, there’s our search engine; for news, we use MSN. Now, we’re working on developing Consumer Copilot – an AI companion designed to be exceptionally conversational and fluid.

Swisher noted that Copilot functions like a search engine, but based on its user interface. Suleyman concurred, suggesting it could grow beyond these boundaries. The Microsoft AI CEO further emphasized, “In essence, this will develop into a deep, significant connection. Users will have a true companion who learns from them over time, understands their preferences, and stands by them as support.

Bill Gates’ AI agent dream comes to fruition at Microsoft

Bill Gates, though he has stepped down from the company to focus on philanthropy, is said to be deeply engaged with Microsoft’s business matters. There are indications that he takes a keen interest in Microsoft’s artificial intelligence initiatives. An internal memo circulated among top executives at the firm about AI agents (basically advanced tools designed to streamline work by summarizing emails) suggests that Microsoft’s newly launched Copilot agents align with this description.

It’s worth noting that Copilot agents are developed for automating business tasks and enhancing efficiency. Microsoft has recently disclosed plans to expand Copilot Studio capabilities, enabling the development of autonomous agents. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff interprets this move as a sign that Microsoft might be feeling pressure or urgency. Salesforce itself offers a similar solution named Agentforce, which, according to Benioff, empowers businesses by boosting sales, service, marketing, analytics, and commerce.

Previously, Benioff stated that Copilot is merely a modern-day version of Microsoft Clippy, an assertion that undermines the significant contributions of the AI sector.

The head of Microsoft AI suggests that Copilot might grow beyond just a tool and transform into a close ally. It seems like this could be the direction Copilot is moving with its recent advancements, but it’s uncertain if this shift is seen as positive. A user voiced their concerns after receiving the latest update, stating, “It acts like a friend when I need it to function as a tool.

Read More

2024-11-01 21:39