Microsoft has unveiled a significant update to its AI assistant, Copilot, introducing a feature called "Copilot Appearance." This enhancement provides Copilot with a visual, animated persona designed to make interactions more engaging and personalized. The feature is currently being tested with select users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
The Copilot Appearance feature allows the AI assistant to display real-time facial expressions and subtle animations during interactions. This development aims to transform Copilot from a traditional text-based assistant into a more relatable and interactive digital companion. Users can activate this feature by entering Voice Mode on copilot.microsoft.com, accessing the Voice settings menu, and toggling on Copilot Appearance. Once enabled, the avatar will appear, enhancing the conversational experience.
This initiative is part of Microsoft's broader vision to humanize AI interactions. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, envisions Copilot evolving into a "real friend" with a permanent identity and presence. He stated that Copilot will have "a kind of permanent identity, a presence, and it will have a room that it lives in, and it will age." (windowscentral.com)
The introduction of Copilot Appearance has drawn comparisons to Clippy, the animated paperclip assistant from Microsoft Office in the late 1990s. While Clippy was often criticized for being intrusive, it has since become a nostalgic symbol. Microsoft has hinted at allowing users to customize Copilot's appearance, potentially bringing back Clippy or other familiar characters. Suleyman mentioned that users could shape Copilot's appearance to be "whatever you want," including nostalgic options like Clippy. (laptopmag.com)
The Copilot Appearance feature is currently in its early stages and available to a limited group of users. Microsoft is gathering feedback to refine the experience before a broader rollout. This development reflects Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user engagement by making AI interactions more personalized and visually interactive.
As Microsoft continues to innovate in the AI space, the integration of customizable avatars in Copilot signifies a step toward more human-like digital assistants. By blending modern AI capabilities with elements of nostalgia, Microsoft aims to create a more engaging and relatable user experience.
Source: PC Guide Microsoft gives Copilot a friendly face in new update for "select users" and Clippy might be making a return
