Read Microsoft’s positive note on the future of AI companions

We live in a period of technological paradigm change. In a few compact years, our computers have learned to speak our language, see what we see, and hear what we hear.

But technology itself has no meaning. What matters is how people feel about it and what impact it has on societies. It’s about how it changes lives, opens doors, expands minds and relieves stress. It is arguably the greatest driver of human well-being in history and one of the most effective ways to deliver real and lasting benefits to billions of people.

And yet, technology is and must always remain at the service of humanity: it is an enabler, a path to deepening our common bonds and common understanding, our energy and imagination, our creativity and capacity for everything from invention to creating relationships.

In the field of artificial intelligence, we often get caught up in the technical details. We spend time talking about parameters and calculations. The focus is on training courses, data centers and the latest techniques. This is natural and inevitable when we operate on the frontier of something novel, where details really matter. But I think it’s significant that as we do all this and focus on the technical weeds, we don’t lose sight of not only what we’re building, but why we’re building it.

At Microsoft AI, we create an AI companion for everyone.

I truly believe that we can create a calmer, more helpful and supportive era of technology unlike anything we have seen before. Great technology experiences are about how they make you feel, not what’s under the hood. It should be about what you experience, not what we build.

Copilot will be with you, in your corner, by your side and will always be closely related to your interests. It understands the context of your life while protecting your privacy, data and security by remembering the details that are most helpful in each situation. It gives you access to a universe of knowledge, simplifying and organizing the daily flood of information and offering support and encouragement when you want it.

Over time, it will adapt to your mannerisms and develop capabilities based on your preferences and needs. We do not create a unchanging tool, but establish a lively, emergent and evolving interaction. It will provide you with unwavering support to aid you show up in your everyday life as you truly want, and a novel way to facilitate connection and achievement.

With your consent, Copilot will ultimately be able to work on your behalf, easing the complexities of your life and giving you more time to focus on what’s significant to you. He will be your defender in many of the most significant moments in life. He will accompany you during your visit to this doctor, taking notes and taking further follow-up actions at the appropriate time. She will share with you the responsibilities of planning and preparing for your child’s birthday party. And he will be there at the end of the day to aid you think through a arduous life decision.

Some fear that artificial intelligence will diminish what makes us unique as humans. My mission in life has been to make sure it does exactly the opposite. We choose what we create. This is something we have to do together. Our job is to ensure that it always enriches people’s lives and strengthens our connections with others, while supporting our uniqueness and infinitely elaborate humanity.

It’s a novel era of technology that doesn’t just “solve problems” but is there to support, teach and aid you. In this sense, Copilots are truly different from the recent wave of web and mobile devices. This is the beginning of a fundamental shift in what is possible for all of us. It’s a long journey that will take years. With our latest Copilot updates, you’re only seeing the first, cautious steps in this direction.

Patience and care during implementations are the basis of our approach. My commitment is to be accountable every step of the way, to work with you and to listen to you. Respect and deep compassion for our users and society is at the heart of everything we do. This is the first. This is a journey we promise to take together. I couldn’t be more excited to start this with you.

Mustafa Suleiman