Copilot gets personal: Microsoft adds Mico, memory, and agentic AI to Edge

Microsoft has unveiled an exciting transformation of its AI assistant, Copilot, during its recent Fall Update event. This significant enhancement introduces a variety of features aimed at making interactions more personal, intelligent, and dynamic. At the forefront of this update is Mico, a new animated avatar that provides Copilot with a visual presence for the first time. Mico, short for Microsoft Copilot, enhances user interaction through facial expressions, gestures, and color changes during voice chats, creating a more relatable and empathetic experience. Microsoft emphasizes that this development is a move towards making AI more supportive and engaging. A standout addition is the 'Real Talk' mode, designed to foster deeper discussions. Unlike previous interactions where Copilot would simply agree with users, this mode encourages critical thinking by gently challenging assumptions and adjusting its tone to mirror the user's conversational style. Moreover, the new Groups feature transforms Copilot into a collaborative platform where users can share conversation links with up to 32 participants. This allows for collective brainstorming, voting, and task division, while the AI summarizes discussions to keep everyone aligned. The Fall Update has also introduced long-term memory capabilities, enabling Copilot to retain key user information and preferences for future conversations. Users can easily view, edit, or delete this memory through the Memory & Personalization settings, allowing for a more continuous interaction without the need to rehash previous topics. Additionally, Copilot now has shared memory through connectors, providing access to data across popular platforms like OneDrive, Outlook, Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. This integration streamlines the process of locating documents, emails, and events directly within the Copilot interface. For health-related queries, the new Copilot for Health feature delivers verified information from reputable sources, such as Harvard Health, and can recommend doctors based on users' location and preferences. Meanwhile, Learn Live caters to students by employing a Socratic approach that encourages interactive learning through voice-enabled lessons and discussions. In Microsoft Edge, a new Copilot Mode allows the AI to analyze open tabs, summarize information, and even take actions such as booking hotels or completing forms, showcasing its new agentic abilities. The Journeys feature organizes browsing sessions by topics, making it easier for users to revisit their research or projects. Microsoft has ensured that these new features come with opt-in privacy controls, allowing users to manage their data securely. Finally, Copilot Search now integrates AI-generated insights with traditional web results, presenting both in a cohesive interface with clear source citations.