In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Microsoft is rolling out a suite of new features for its AI assistant, Copilot, aimed at enhancing its capabilities to compete with alternatives like ChatGPT and Claude. This update introduces various functionalities, including memory, personalization, web-based actions, podcast creation, and advanced analysis through both camera and screen inputs.
The newly implemented Memory feature enables Copilot to remember user preferences, personal details such as birthdays, and other interests, allowing for more tailored responses and proactive suggestions. Users will have control over what information Copilot retains and can choose to disable this feature entirely if preferred.
This initiative reflects a broader strategy to enhance personalization within Copilot. Microsoft has indicated that they are just beginning to venture into this area, with plans to allow users to customize Copilot’s appearance, including the nostalgic option of reviving Clippy.
According to Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, “Copilot is more than an AI, it’s yours,” emphasizing that each user will experience a uniquely styled assistant that caters specifically to their needs and preferences.
In addition to these personalization features, Copilot is also being equipped with enhanced capabilities. One such addition, termed Actions, allows the AI to perform tasks using a web browser, akin to features found in OpenAI’s Operator agent and Amazon’s Nova Act model. This new functionality is projected to facilitate activities such as booking tickets, making restaurant reservations, and shopping, while leveraging an updated shopping capability that enables product research and discount tracking.
The Copilot Vision feature, which initially launched in December 2024, is set to expand its reach to Windows and mobile applications. On Windows, the tool will interpret screen content across various applications and files, while on iOS and Android, it will provide insights based on the visual data from the user’s camera or photo library.
The Deep Research capability enables Copilot to scrutinize extensive documents and online sources for detailed projects, and these research capabilities are being integrated with Bing to provide AI-driven responses in the search engine. Additionally, Copilot will now be capable of generating audio content in a podcast format to elucidate various topics, while a new Pages feature will let users assemble notes and research across documents into a centralized canvas.
Microsoft has announced that many of the new features are being launched in “initial versions” across platforms beginning today, with gradual enhancements expected over the coming weeks and months. Feature availability may vary based on platform and market. Although these functionalities are not entirely novel—ChatGPT has similar memory features, Google Gemini offers a vision mode, and the AI sector continually strives for personalized agents—this simultaneous rollout indicates Microsoft’s commitment to remaining competitive and maximizing its investment in OpenAI.
Update, April 4th: Confirmation has been provided that Clippy will indeed be an option for personalizing Copilot.
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