UPDATE, 9:58 a.m. PT: During a presentation at Microsoft’s headquarters, CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, faced an unexpected interruption from a protestor. The event, which was livestreamed, saw a young woman in a hijab approach Suleyman as he passionately detailed new features for Microsoft’s AI companion software, Copilot. Her message was clear and pointed, criticizing Microsoft for its involvement in providing AI tools to military forces in Gaza.
“You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. 50,000 people have died,” she exclaimed, holding a checkered scarf symbolizing her support for the Palestinian cause. “How do you all celebrate when Microsoft is killing children? Shame on you.” As she exited the stage, she reiterated her message, urging Suleyman to “stop using AI for genocide.”
The protestor was swiftly escorted away by Microsoft staff, yet her voice resonated throughout the tent set up for the presentation. Suleyman maintained his composure, acknowledging her protest with a calm, “I hear your protest,” before continuing with his presentation.
Earlier in the day, Microsoft had aimed to showcase its Copilot AI-powered software, which promises to redefine the relationship between users and technology. Suleyman described Copilot as a personal assistant that goes beyond traditional AI, emphasizing its ability to remember user preferences and anticipate needs. “It remembers not just what you said, but who you are,” he noted in a blog post announcing the updates.
The presentation, introduced by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, coincided with a celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary. Nadella opened with a nostalgic video demonstrating how he utilized Copilot’s research tools to recreate Microsoft’s first product, the Altair BASIC operating system, originally launched in 1975. The audience included notable figures such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer, highlighting the significance of the event.
Microsoft is positioning Copilot not merely as a chatbot but as a comprehensive personal companion, designed to assist with various tasks ranging from personal shopping to managing daily errands. The company has partnered with leading digital commerce platforms, including 1-800-Flowers.com, Booking.com, and Expedia, to enhance the user experience.
Among the newly unveiled features, Copilot offers:
- Memory and Personalization: Users can opt for Copilot to remember important details about them, enhancing personalization and proactive suggestions.
- Actions: This feature allows Copilot to perform tasks on behalf of users, such as booking tickets or making reservations through simple prompts.
- Camera Integration: Users can interact with their environment using their phone’s camera, requesting information and guidance in real time.
- Pages: A tool to organize thoughts and content, helping users streamline their notes and research.
- Podcasts: Copilot can generate personalized audio content based on user interests, creating bespoke podcasts from various digital sources.
- Shopping: The software assists in research, price comparisons, and direct purchasing from within the app.
- Deep Research: Designed to facilitate complex research tasks, this feature aims to save users significant time.
Suleyman emphasized that Copilot is built around individual needs and values, ensuring users remain in control of their data and interactions. “An AI companion is completely personal, built around individual needs, values, and expectations,” he stated. “We’re focusing on one critical goal: to make Copilot truly yours.”
As Microsoft continues to navigate the evolving landscape of AI, the challenge remains to balance innovation with ethical considerations, especially in light of recent events that have sparked public outcry and debate.
