Tags: Copilot

Microsoft is rolling out a new set of free AI capabilities to its Office apps, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The updates bring Copilot Chat enhancements that can scan an entire inbox and help schedule meetings without a paid Copilot license. Agent Mode, previously limited to paid subscribers, will now be available to all Microsoft 365 users, allowing complex document and spreadsheet generation and offering model choices between Anthropic and OpenAI. Microsoft plans to preview these additions by March 2026 and has introduced a lower‑priced Business Copilot plan for small and midsize firms. Ler mais

Microsoft promotes Windows Copilot as a conversational AI that can see, speak, and act on a user’s behalf, but early testing reveals a gap between marketing promises and reality. The assistant struggles to correctly identify objects in images, provides inconsistent answers, and cannot perform many of the tasks it advertises, such as controlling system settings or running simulations. While the technology shows potential for accessibility and future integration, its current performance leaves users frustrated and raises questions about Microsoft’s timeline for a fully functional AI‑driven PC experience. Ler mais

Microsoft is rolling out an experimental feature called agent workspaces in Windows 11, allowing AI agents to run in a sandboxed environment separate from the user’s account. The design emphasizes security and privacy by granting agents limited permissions to specific apps and files. Early testing will involve a small group of insiders, with plans to expand as feedback is gathered. Microsoft highlights the ability to manage each agent’s access, maintain logs of activity, and protect against risks such as hallucinations or prompt injection. Sample agents include Copilot Actions for routine tasks and Manus AI for more complex projects. Ler mais

Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s head of Windows, responded to the backlash over AI integration in Windows 11. He acknowledged that the operating system still has work to do on everyday usability, reliability, and performance, and said the team is listening to extensive user feedback. While he highlighted the company’s focus on fixing inconsistent dialogs and power‑user experiences, he did not address concerns about advertising and ecosystem‑driven prompts. The response also drew attention to a recent Copilot demo that many users found confusing, underscoring the challenges Microsoft faces in balancing new AI features with a stable user experience. Ler mais

TechRadar is rolling out an AI Week series aimed at helping readers navigate the fast‑moving world of artificial intelligence. The coverage will spotlight how AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot are reshaping productivity, creativity, and work, while also probing ethical considerations. Whether newcomers or seasoned adopters, the audience can expect practical how‑to guides, in‑depth feature stories, and insights on staying informed amid the AI boom. Ler mais

GitHub is rolling out a new platform called Agent HQ that lets developers use a range of AI coding agents—including OpenAI’s Codex, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Jules, xAI, and Cognition’s Devin—directly within GitHub. Available to Copilot subscribers, the service adds a mission‑control style dashboard, the ability to run several agents in parallel on the same task, and new VS Code tools such as Plan Mode and a code‑review step powered by CodeQL. The move expands the ecosystem of AI‑assisted development while giving users more control over which agent’s output they prefer. Ler mais

Microsoft has unveiled Mico, an animated avatar for its Copilot voice mode, positioning it as a human‑centered feature that aims to deepen connection rather than chase engagement. The design evokes the legacy Office assistant Clippy, even offering an Easter egg that transforms Mico into the classic character. While Microsoft frames the avatar as a tool to return users to their lives, analysts note that Mico may intensify parasocial relationships with large language models, blurring the line between helpful utility and emotional companionship. Ler mais

Microsoft has reorganized its Outlook team, placing corporate vice president Gaurav Sareen in charge as Lynn Ayres steps away on sabbatical. Sareen’s internal memo outlines a plan to rebuild Outlook from the ground up for the AI era, integrating Copilot as a “body double” that reads messages, drafts replies, and manages schedules. The redesign emphasizes rapid, weekly feature experiments and a culture where AI shapes design, development, and shipping. Reporting to Office head Ryan Roslansky, the Outlook overhaul is part of a broader AI‑focused reorganization across Microsoft, aiming to make Outlook a true AI‑native partner for users. Ler mais

Microsoft introduced its Copilot Fall Release on Thursday, spotlighting a new AI chatbot persona named Mico. Designed as an expressive, customizable companion, Mico serves as the official successor to the classic Clippy. The optional avatar can change colors, animate, and even perform cartwheel‑like motions, aiming to make voice interactions feel more natural. A hidden Easter egg lets users tap the avatar until it temporarily transforms into Clippy, while a "real talk" feature promises conversational nuance. The announcement video highlights Mico at the 42‑minute mark, underscoring Microsoft's push toward a more personable AI experience. Ler mais

Microsoft is adding a visual, animated companion named Mico to its Copilot AI in Windows 11. Designed as an expressive, customizable blob with a face that reacts to user interactions, Mico aims to make the chatbot feel more human‑centered. The move recalls earlier Microsoft assistants such as Clippy, Microsoft Bob, and Rover, but ties the familiar visual style to modern large‑language models and voice controls. Microsoft hopes the new interface will overcome past criticisms of its digital assistants by providing richer context awareness and a friendlier user experience. Ler mais

Microsoft introduced Mico, a visual avatar for its Copilot AI chatbot, at the company’s Copilot fall release event. Designed as a warm, customizable "blob" that reacts to user interaction, Mico offers an expressive face for the AI, complete with color changes and an Easter‑egg that transforms it into the classic Clippy. Available initially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Mico supports voice mode, long‑term memory, and a new "Real Talk" personality mode that mirrors users without being overly sycophantic. The rollout signals Microsoft’s push to humanize AI while expanding Copilot’s productivity features. Ler mais

Microsoft introduced Mico, an expressive, customizable visual avatar designed to accompany the Copilot voice assistant. Positioned as a modern take on the classic Clippy, Mico appears as a responsive blob that changes color and expression based on user interaction. The AI companion aims to provide respectful, supportive guidance, even pushing back when needed. Integrated with Copilot’s new Learn Live feature, Mico serves as a Socratic tutor, guiding users through concepts with questions, visual cues, and an interactive whiteboard. Initially available in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, users can enable or disable the visual presence at will. Ler mais

Microsoft is rolling out a suite of free updates to its Copilot AI assistant and the Edge browser on Windows 11 and Windows 10. New features include Groups for real‑time collaborative prompts, a visual avatar called Mico, the personality‑forward Real Talk model, enhanced memory, health‑focused responses backed by clinical sources, and tighter integration with local clinicians. Edge gains a full Copilot Mode and a Journeys feature that surfaces relevant browsing history. All updates are available today without a subscription and support Google and Apple accounts. Ler mais

Microsoft is rolling out major updates to its consumer Copilot AI assistant, adding a group chat feature that supports up to 32 participants, an optional “real talk” mode that matches users' tone and adds wit, and a new voice‑mode character named Mico. The updates also enhance Copilot’s memory capabilities, letting users see and delete stored facts, and improve health‑related answers with trusted sources. While the changes launch in the U.S. consumer version first, Microsoft hints at future extensions to its business‑focused Microsoft 365 Copilot. Ler mais

Microsoft has introduced Mico, a virtual AI character that appears as a responsive orb in Copilot's voice mode. Designed to react with facial expressions as users speak, Mico is enabled by default in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, with an option to turn it off. The companion includes a memory feature that recalls user‑specific facts and a Learn Live mode that acts as a Socratic tutor, using interactive whiteboards and visual cues for students and language learners. Mico signals Microsoft’s broader push to give its AI a lasting identity and to encourage people to talk to their PCs. Ler mais

AI chatbots are emerging as alternatives to traditional search engines, offering conversational answers and direct links to sources. Microsoft’s Copilot, which accesses the internet, demonstrates how users can obtain quick information on topics ranging from movies to health advice. While the technology simplifies queries, experts caution that users must verify answers, watch for hallucinations, and avoid sharing personal data. The evolving tools, including free and paid versions like Copilot Pro, are reshaping how people find information online. Ler mais

OpenAI has introduced Atlas, a new web browser that integrates an AI-driven Agent Mode capable of navigating tabs, accessing authentication data, and operating in the background. The feature can be toggled manually or suggested by ChatGPT based on user prompts. While Agent Mode is limited to actions within web tabs, users retain control over login states and can employ incognito windows for privacy. The launch places OpenAI against established players like Microsoft Edge’s Copilot and Google Chrome’s upcoming Gemini features, as well as startups such as Perplexity, which recently made a high‑profile bid for Chrome. Analysts note the move could grant OpenAI deeper access to user data and open new ad‑revenue pathways, but its success will hinge on convincing a portion of ChatGPT’s 700 million‑plus weekly active users to switch browsers. Ler mais

Microsoft Edge now displays a "Try Copilot" button when users visit popular AI services such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Deepseek. The button opens the Copilot assistant in the browser sidebar, a move Microsoft says is meant to promote its own AI offering. The prompt does not appear on visits to Google’s Gemini, and a larger pop‑up appears when users navigate to the Chrome download page, urging them to stay with Edge. Some users find the nudges intrusive and have discovered how to disable the Copilot button through the browser’s settings. Ler mais

A recent study finds that AI‑generated lesson plans often miss the nuance of real classrooms, offering generic, one‑size‑fits‑all solutions. While tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot can produce occasional useful activities—especially for homework—researchers caution educators to treat these systems as aids rather than replacements. By crafting detailed prompts that embed contextual information and established teaching frameworks, teachers can augment their planning process. The authors call for more research and professional development to help educators become critical users of generative AI in education. Ler mais

Microsoft is testing a suite of new AI-driven capabilities for Windows 11 through its Insider program. The updates include Copilot taking over the taskbar search area, answering plain‑language questions about system settings, and linking to the appropriate Settings pages. Additional features such as Copilot Connectors, document‑creation shortcuts, File Explorer AI actions, and Vision‑enabled document scanning are being trialed. While none of the changes are yet part of the publicly released Windows 11 25H2 update, the company appears to be applying lessons learned from earlier rollout challenges. Ler mais