Microsoft Removes Animated Assistant Mico from Copilot
Photo: The Verge
Quick answer
Microsoft is phasing out the animated avatar Mico from Copilot’s voice mode, relocating it to the Learn Live platform to focus on deeper Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot integration.
Microsoft has announced the phased removal of the animated avatar Mico from Copilot’s voice mode. Introduced in October 2023, Mico was designed to give the AI assistant a 'personality' and emotional responses to user requests. Now, the avatar will transition to Microsoft’s Learn Live platform, where it will gain expanded interactive capabilities.
The decision to retire Mico from Copilot is part of a broader strategy to unify Copilot with Microsoft 365 Copilot and reorganize the AI product team. Microsoft emphasized that insights gained from Mico’s development will enhance future AI user interactions. This move follows the company’s history of discontinuing virtual assistants, including Clippy, Cortana, and Rover.
Mico joins a long list of Microsoft’s discontinued virtual assistants. The company has previously phased out projects like Clippy, Cortana, and Rover, with lessons learned from each contributing to improved AI interactions today.
Common questions
- Who is Mico in Copilot?
- Mico is an animated yellow smiley avatar used in Copilot’s voice mode to provide emotional responses to user queries.
- Why is Microsoft removing Mico from Copilot?
- Microsoft is shifting Mico to the Learn Live platform to prioritize Copilot’s integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot and expand its interactive features.
- Which other Microsoft virtual assistants have been discontinued?
- Microsoft has previously retired virtual assistants like Clippy, Cortana, and Rover as part of its evolving AI strategy.
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