Microsoft Believes Copilot’s People-Focused AI Will Capture Hearts Beyond Mere Numbers

Microsoft’s AI team has introduced a range of new features for its Copilot assistant, aiming to make it a more engaging and tailored digital partner. Among the updates are a “real talk” mode for more open conversations, a character called Mico reminiscent of Clippy, and improved memory functions—all designed to give Copilot a more human touch. These changes come as

The newly launched “real talk” mode, revealed at a recent event, lets Copilot engage in more challenging and conversational exchanges. Unlike standard AI assistants that typically agree with users, this mode promotes genuine dialogue and debate. “It will question your assumptions and encourage you to consider different viewpoints,” explained Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s CVP of product and growth, during an interview with

Copilot’s upgraded memory is another highlight. The assistant can now remember details about users, their connections, and ongoing tasks, allowing for more personalized and relevant conversations. Users have the option to view or erase stored data, and Andreou noted that voice commands for managing memory will be added in the future. For example, users could instruct Copilot to “forget everything about my partner.”

The introduction of “Copilot Groups” enables collaborative AI chats with up to 32 people. Designed for students, work teams, and friends, this feature is intended to make AI interactions more communal. While it’s currently exclusive to the consumer version of Copilot, Andreou suggested it may eventually be available in Microsoft 365 for business environments.

Mico, the most visually distinctive update, is a lively character similar to Clippy that animates in real time within Copilot. Mico responds to conversations with various expressions and movements, bringing more personality to the experience. The character also offers a “Learn Live” mode, serving as an interactive learning assistant, according to

Microsoft is also broadening Copilot’s capabilities in its Edge browser. The Copilot Mode in Edge now lets users access information from all open tabs, create summaries, and automate actions such as making reservations or unsubscribing from emails, as reported by

These enhancements reflect Microsoft’s larger goal of weaving AI into daily routines. “We’re committed to human-centered AI—technology that always prioritizes people,” wrote Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s AI co-founder, in a post summarizing the fall update. This philosophy sets Microsoft apart from competitors like Perplexity and OpenAI, which emphasize practical AI utilities.

With AI adoption on the rise, Microsoft’s latest improvements are designed to meet the growing demand for assistants that are both interactive and contextually aware. By introducing features like Mico and real talk mode, Microsoft is betting that a more personable and flexible AI will help it stand out in the fast-changing AI landscape.