Beyond Copilot+ AI PCs and Windows 11’s 2024 update, Microsoft is adding new features to its Copilot AI on both web and mobile and desktop platforms. These innovations include a more user-friendly interface and features such as Copilot Voice. Copilot now offers the opportunity to speak naturally. Microsoft aims to make Copilot an indispensable part of your daily workflow, not just a tool limited to the ability to search and create images with generative AI.
The new interface makes Copilot look more modern than a traditional search engine. This new look is available on web, iOS, Android and Windows platforms starting today. It will also be possible to access Copilot via WhatsApp, which could be useful for those who want to avoid Meta’s AI assistant.
Microsoft plans to make more experimental artificial intelligence features available to users under the name Copilot Labs. Similar to Google’s Labs app, these features will offer early trial opportunities. With Copilot Vision, artificial intelligence will be able to see the websites you visit in the Edge browser, and thanks to the Think Deeper feature, Copilot will be able to work in depth on more complex problems. However, these features may pose some risks in terms of privacy and security. Microsoft seems to have learned from the unsuccessful launch of the Recall feature on Copilot+ computers. These new features will be available only to Copilot Pro subscribers.
Microsoft states that Copilot Vision sessions are “optional and temporary” and that no data about the session is used for artificial intelligence training. All data is deleted when the session ends and this feature only works on a limited list of popular websites. Additionally, Copilot only interprets the text and images you see on websites, it does not perform large-scale content processing. The company will continue to improve security measures based on early user feedback and prioritize privacy and accountability.
It is obvious that Microsoft needs to rebuild user trust after the buggy launch of the Recall feature. Recall was a feature intended to help you find any process on your computer, but it initially contained serious security vulnerabilities. “Ultimately, users want to have confidence in any transaction involving caches of sensitive data,” Pavan Davuluri, president of Microsoft’s Windows division, said of the lessons learned from Recall, adding that the company has gone too far in establishing new security standards.
Microsoft also announced Copilot Voice and Daily
Other, less controversial features Microsoft announced include Copilot Voice and Copilot Daily. Copilot Voice allows users to receive news, weather and daily reminders via voice commands. This feature is similar to a personal morning podcast. Additionally, the Copilot Discover feature will offer you tips to use artificial intelligence features based on the Microsoft services you have used before.
While uncertainty remains about Microsoft’s rapid transformation into an AI company, the company must prove that these new Copilot features are robust in terms of security and privacy. Microsoft is rolling out all of these features gradually. While Copilot Voice and Copilot Daily are available starting today, Voice will only be available in English in the US, Canada, Australia, UK and New Zealand. Copilot Daily will only be active in the USA and the UK. Copilot Vision will be coming to Labs in the coming days and will be available to a limited number of Copilot Pro subscribers. Think Deeper, on the other hand, is active for Pro subscribers in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.