Copilot Is Getting More Personality with a ‘Real Talk’ Mode and Group Chats
Microsoft is giving its Copilot AI assistant a major upgrade, and the changes are all about making it feel more human. Copilot is getting more personality with a ‘real talk’ mode and group chats, plus improvements to memory, health queries, and even a new voice character named Mico.
These updates aim to make Copilot not just smarter—but also more relatable and collaborative. The new features are rolling out first to US users, with plans to expand globally later.
Copilot Groups: AI That Brings People Together
One of the standout updates is Copilot Groups, a new feature that lets multiple users chat with Copilot in the same conversation. It’s perfect for friends, classmates, or colleagues who want to brainstorm, plan trips, or work on projects together—all with AI assistance.
Microsoft says Copilot Groups supports up to 32 participants, making it one of the most social AI tools yet. According to Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s CVP of product and growth at Microsoft AI, smaller groups will likely benefit the most:
“My guess is you’re going to see groups of two or three dominate this,” he told The Verge.
For now, Copilot Groups is launching in the consumer version of Copilot in the US. Business users on Microsoft 365 Copilot will have to wait a bit longer, but Microsoft confirms that enterprise integration is on the roadmap.
Real Talk Mode: Copilot Gets Its Voice Back
Perhaps the most exciting update is the new “real talk” mode, which gives Copilot more personality and emotional intelligence. When enabled, this mode allows Copilot to mirror your tone, inject humor, and even challenge your assumptions—making conversations feel more natural.
Microsoft describes it as a balance between friendly banter and intelligent conversation. Andreou explains:
“In real talk mode, Copilot will match your tone, add its own perspective, and maybe be a little more witty than people expect.”
While this might remind users of Bing Chat’s earlier “Sydney” persona, Microsoft assures that real talk won’t bring back the AI’s sassier, unfiltered days. Instead, it’s designed to make AI more authentic without crossing boundaries.
Currently, real talk mode is only available in text form, not voice mode, and it must be activated manually through a dropdown menu.
Smarter Memory and Contextual Learning
Beyond social and personality updates, Microsoft is also enhancing Copilot’s memory and contextual understanding. The assistant can now remember preferences, recent topics, and personal details you share—helping tailor responses to your needs.
For instance, if you often ask Copilot for meal ideas, it will recall your dietary preferences over time. Microsoft says users will have full control, with options to review, edit, or delete stored memories at any point for transparency and privacy.
Health Queries and the New Mico Voice
Copilot is also becoming a better health companion. The AI has improved its ability to interpret health-related questions, offering more accurate and empathetic responses. This makes it more useful for users seeking wellness advice or looking to understand medical terminology in simple terms.
Additionally, Microsoft is introducing Mico, a new voice option designed to sound friendly, expressive, and natural. Mico aims to make spoken interactions with Copilot feel less robotic—bringing warmth and personality to voice-based chats.
Microsoft’s Vision for a More Social AI
By blending ‘real talk’ mode, group collaboration, and memory-driven learning, Microsoft is redefining what an AI assistant can be. Copilot is evolving from a productivity tool into a more interactive and emotionally intelligent digital partner.
Andreou hints that these updates are just the beginning:
“Bringing experiences like this into Microsoft 365 will be really important,” he says.
That suggests we may soon see these conversational and social AI features integrated into tools like Teams, Outlook, and Word—turning everyday productivity into a more connected experience.
The Future of Copilot: More Than Just AI Help
Microsoft’s latest moves show that the company wants Copilot to be more than a simple chatbot. With ‘real talk’ mode and group chats, the assistant is stepping closer to being a true collaborator—someone (or something) you can plan, debate, and laugh with.
As AI assistants become more natural and engaging, features like these could redefine how people interact online and at work. Copilot isn’t just answering questions anymore—it’s joining the conversation.
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