It’s been almost 30 years since Clippy, the infamous paperclip assistant, popped up on our screens. After it vanished in 2001, Microsoft introduced Cortana on Windows Phone. That technology was still growing, but now Microsoft aims to bring a fresh personality into play: Mico, the new voice for Copilot.
Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s corporate VP of product and growth, humorously notes, “Clippy walked so that we could run.” Mico has been in testing for a few months. Unlike Clippy, Mico is designed to react in real-time, showing expressions while you interact with it. You’ll find Mico bouncing around in Copilot’s voice mode, and you can choose to turn it off if you prefer silence.
“This little orb responds when you talk, even changing its facial expressions when the conversation gets emotional,” says Andreou. The goal is to make technology fade into the background, allowing you to form a connection with Mico.
When it launches, Mico will only be available in the US, UK, and Canada. It will also include a memory feature that helps it remember facts about you and what you’re working on.
An exciting addition is the “Learn Live” mode. Mico becomes a friendly tutor, guiding you through lessons instead of simply providing answers. It’s packed with interactive tools, perfect for students studying for exams or anyone learning a new language.
Microsoft’s strategy is to give Copilot a unique identity. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, mentioned the importance of making Copilot feel like it belongs somewhere and can even grow over time.
Mico is part of Microsoft’s push to encourage people to chat with their devices. They’re advertising Windows 11 PCs as “the computer you can talk to.” This is a renewed effort, especially after the struggles with Cortana and its eventual shutdown on Windows 11.
Mico promises more sophistication than Clippy or Cortana, but convincing people that talking to tech is normal will still be a challenge. Just like its predecessors, Mico will throw in some fun surprises to engage users. Andreou hints at an Easter egg, suggesting that if you poke Mico quickly, something special might occur.
This evolution in AI products reflects a broader trend in technology: a shift toward more human-like interactions. According to a recent survey by PwC, 82% of businesses believe that using AI will improve their customer experience. As technology continues to evolve, Mico could be a significant step in making digital interactions feel warmer and more relatable.
With Mico, we might just be ready for a future where our devices feel less like machines and more like companions.
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