(Credit: Microsoft)
Nine years ago, as Windows 10 was just getting started, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella talked up the concept of "more personal computing" at the company's Build conference. The latest version of its Copilot AI chatbot takes this concept to the extreme.
Microsoft Corporate VP Yusef Mehdi this week argued that the new Copilot is "more approachable." When I heard this, I initially thought, "That's nice." Copilot is getting warmer, softer colors in a cleaner design with tiles that suggest conversations you might want to have with the generative AI tool. No big whoop.
But then Mehdi added: "You should be able to speak to it as naturally as you would with a friend or colleague." That’s the key differentiator of the update, and it’s remarkable how close Microsoft comes to hitting that goal.
The Voice That Convinces You
When I tried the new Copilot experience on a Copilot+ PC running the Windows 11 2024 Update (aka version 24H2), the difference was startling. Copilot already had voice input and response (and it even enunciated in a fairly convincing voice), but now, it’s almost like talking with a friend, or at least with a real person.
The new Copilot greets you by name and sounds very natural. You can stumble your speech or interrupt the AI, and it continues the conversation unaffected. It can even comfort you about personal concerns like handling interactions with family, friends, or coworkers.
The video below demonstrates the kinds of interactions I had with the new Copilot Voice. Notice how quickly the AI picks up after I interrupt it a couple of times. You can choose four voices and either dark or light interface themes.
Here’s another sample, using a different voice and concerning a more personal topic:
Copilot Caveats
Copilot comes with at least one caveat: “Copilot uses AI. Check for mistakes.” We’ve all heard about AI hallucinations and misinformation, and it’s fun to tweet it out when you come across a Copilot error. But in my regular use of it, I’ve gotten answers to very specific questions that would have taken a lot of digging with a standard web search. And if you suspect misinformation, you can always click on Copilot’s source links.
During my testing, the voice occasionally did cut off, likely because of internet bandwidth requirements. It’s still a machine, after all, and subject to glitches.
Copilot has long had guardrails on the types of interactions you can have with the chatbot, and that continues here. You can’t treat it like a human; it doesn't have a body, emotions, or relationships. However, if you ask questions on those topics, it no longer cuts you off as it did in the past, but gently steers you away from the topic.
Instead, the voice AI stays in character and steers you away from the topic. And when I asked “What LLM do you use?” I got, “Sorry, I can’t talk about that. Check Microsoft’s privacy documents.” It's well-known that it's using the Advanced Voice capabilities of ChatGPT-4o, but using that in ChatGPT requires a $20-per-month Pro subscription.
There will be those who complain that human-sounding AI is scary or creepy. But if it can get the info I need in a more natural, friendly way, I’m all for it. And so far, that’s been my experience, bringing us closer to the goal of more personal computing without getting too personal.