Microsoft's Copilot Could Return Your Gaze - But Who Solicited This Capability?
In an intriguing turn of events, the question of whether an AI assistant could be considered a "real friend" has been raised, with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, advocating for this very concept. This vision, which includes AI entities having a "permanent identity" and a dedicated "room" within digital spaces, is a reflection of Altman's broader ambitions for AI interaction and integration.
Sam Altman's idea is to make AI entities feel more relatable and persistent, moving beyond transient interactions to form ongoing, individual relationships with users. This vision aligns with his broader ambitions for AI to assist humans not just as tools but as entities with a consistent character and presence.
Microsoft's Copilot is the latest AI tool to take steps towards this vision. The tech giant has announced a new feature, Copilot Appearance, which aims to personify the digital assistant, taking things to a new level. This feature enhances the voice experience by showing different facial expressions based on the topic of discussion, giving the AI a more human-like quality.
However, not everyone is on board with this idea. Neither Altman's friends nor users who have access to Copilot Appearance have expressed a desire for an AI friend. Many have described the concept as strange, with some even finding it weird.
The Copilot Appearance feature is currently in its early stages and is available for testing to a subset of users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Users can enable Copilot Appearance through the Voice settings of Copilot. If the feature is not available, it means the user is not in the test flight group.
This new development follows Microsoft's controversial Copilot update that shipped last year, and it marks a significant step towards the vision of Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, who aims for Copilot to evolve into a "real friend."
As we delve deeper into the AI-driven future, it's interesting to ponder the role these entities might play in our lives. We'd love to hear your thoughts on AI being a "real friend." Let us know in the comments below.
Remember, the first digital assistant with an avatar, Microsoft's infamous Clippy, launched way back in 1995. The evolution of AI has come a long way since then, and with developments like Copilot Appearance, it seems we're only just beginning to scratch the surface of what's possible.
The Copilot, Microsoft's latest AI tool, aims to personify digital assistants with its new feature, Copilot Appearance, which shows different facial expressions based on conversation topics, mirroring human-like qualities.Microsoft's AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman envisions Copilot's evolution into a "real friend", aligning with Sam Altman's broader ambition for AI to assist humans as characterful and consistent entities. However, the concept of AI as a "real friend" has been met with mixed reactions, as neither Altman's friends nor Copilot Appearance users expressed a desire for an AI friend. This new development follows the Copilot update, reflecting Microsoft's continuous advancements in AI software and technology.
