Microsoft Enhances AI Copilot with Advanced Voice and Reasoning Capabilities
Microsoft enhances Copilot with new voice and reasoning capabilities. Subscription-based features like "Think Deeper" and "Copilot Vision" introduced. Copilot aims to become a constant companion for users, learning from various sources.
Mustafa Suleyman, chief executive of Microsoft AI, shared in an interview with Reuters that the company now has a team of creative directors, including psychologists, novelists, and comedians, refining the tone and style of Copilot to make it stand out.
During a demonstration of the updated Copilot, a user asked for housewarming gift suggestions at a grocery store for a non-drinker friend. After some interaction, Copilot suggested, "Italian (olive) oils are the hot stuff right now. Tuscan's my go-to. Super peppery," showcasing its new capabilities.
The rollout of these features, commencing this week, marks one of the initial projects overseen by Suleyman since the establishment of his division in March, focusing on consumer products and technology research. Microsoft, traditionally associated with business software, faces stiff competition in the consumer market, with its Bing search engine still trailing behind Google.
Suleyman aims for a more significant impact with Copilot, which entered the market last year amidst a competitive landscape of AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. The updated voice features of Copilot create a more engaging experience, with verbal cues such as "cool" and "huh," making it appear as an active listener, according to Suleyman.
Powered by Microsoft AI models and technology from partner OpenAI, Copilot offers a subscription-based service, Copilot Pro, priced at $20 per month. Subscribers can access the "Think Deeper" feature, enabling the AI to reason through decisions like choosing between two cities. Another test feature, Copilot Vision, allows users to interact with the AI about content viewed in a Microsoft Edge browser.
Suleyman envisions Copilot evolving into a constant companion for users, drawing insights from various sources like Word documents, Windows desktops, and potentially gaming consoles with user consent. He mentioned that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is enthusiastic about the company's AI advancements, particularly keen on when Copilot can read and analyse his emails, indicating Gates' interest and support in the project.
Microsoft enhances Copilot with new voice and reasoning capabilities
Subscription-based features like "Think Deeper" and "Copilot Vision" introduced
Copilot aims to become a constant companion for users, learning from various sources
Source: REUTERS