The readers of The Register have made their voices heard, and the outcome is both amusing and unexpected. The “winner” of this light-hearted competition is set to receive the infamous Windows XP Christmas sweater, a garment that has become a symbol of tech nostalgia. Meanwhile, the future of Microsoft’s Copilot seems to be a topic of considerable debate, with a majority of comments suggesting it might be better suited for less glamorous locations.
Creative Suggestions for Copilot
While the question of “where Microsoft should put Copilot next” may have been somewhat leading, the responses from The Register readers were anything but predictable. Among the more whimsical ideas was a suggestion from WurliMonkhaven to integrate Copilot into itself—essentially creating a “Copilot for Copilot.” This meta-concept humorously reflects the ongoing struggle many users face in maximizing productivity through generative AI. “With ‘Microsoft Copilot™ for Microsoft Copilot™,’ you can now use Copilot™ to suggest ways you can use Copilot™,” the commenter noted, highlighting the potential for endless loops of assistance.
Another intriguing proposal came from ArrZarr, who suggested incorporating Copilot into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. While the game has already experienced a rocky launch, the idea of an AI assistant guiding players through virtual skies raises questions about the reliability of such technology. YouTuber Scott Manley’s experience of being directed into mountains by the game adds a layer of humor to this suggestion, hinting at the unpredictable nature of AI guidance.
The suggestions didn’t stop there. DrGeekThumb humorously proposed replacing elected officials with Copilot, envisioning a machine that “spouts a load of waffle, makes up random facts, and says it wants to help despite doing anything but.” Meanwhile, tiggity envisioned a scenario where Excel would benefit from an assistant that could provide blunt advice: “It looks like you are trying to use Excel as a database substitute. Don’t do that you colossal bell end; use a database rather than abusing a spreadsheet.”
However, it was Sureo who delivered the most straightforward suggestion: “Why don’t they just ask the AI what to do?” This prompted an exploration of what the AI itself might suggest for its own placement.
In a playful twist, ChatGPT proposed a variety of unconventional ideas, including “On the Toilet – Copilot could help with bathroom reading material, suggesting articles, jokes, or even providing personal productivity tips for your 5-minute break.” Meanwhile, Copilot itself cheekily suggested, “Toasters: Ever wondered if your toast is evenly browned? Let Copilot take over and give you perfect slices every time, complete with morning pep talks.” The absurdity of such a scenario is not lost on anyone.
When informed about winning the dreaded XP sweater, OpenAI’s service responded with enthusiasm, stating, “Thank you! 
I’ll be rocking that Windows-themed ugly sweater with pride this Christmas!” However, the reality of a data center donning a festive garment is a humorous thought, especially considering the logistical challenges of fitting such a sweater over a server rack.
In the end, the title of this year’s whimsical competition goes to Sureo, whose suggestion to simply ask the AI proved to be the most sensible among a sea of creative ideas. As the XP sweater awaits its new owner, one can only imagine the various fates it may encounter—worn with pride, splattered with gravy, or perhaps a combination of both.
Windows Ugly Sweater winner of last year is …
The readers of The Register have made their voices heard, and the outcome is both amusing and unexpected. The “winner” of this light-hearted competition is set to receive the infamous Windows XP Christmas sweater, a garment that has become a symbol of tech nostalgia. Meanwhile, the future of Microsoft’s Copilot seems to be a topic of considerable debate, with a majority of comments suggesting it might be better suited for less glamorous locations.
Creative Suggestions for Copilot
While the question of “where Microsoft should put Copilot next” may have been somewhat leading, the responses from The Register readers were anything but predictable. Among the more whimsical ideas was a suggestion from WurliMonkhaven to integrate Copilot into itself—essentially creating a “Copilot for Copilot.” This meta-concept humorously reflects the ongoing struggle many users face in maximizing productivity through generative AI. “With ‘Microsoft Copilot™ for Microsoft Copilot™,’ you can now use Copilot™ to suggest ways you can use Copilot™,” the commenter noted, highlighting the potential for endless loops of assistance.
Another intriguing proposal came from ArrZarr, who suggested incorporating Copilot into Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. While the game has already experienced a rocky launch, the idea of an AI assistant guiding players through virtual skies raises questions about the reliability of such technology. YouTuber Scott Manley’s experience of being directed into mountains by the game adds a layer of humor to this suggestion, hinting at the unpredictable nature of AI guidance.
The suggestions didn’t stop there. DrGeekThumb humorously proposed replacing elected officials with Copilot, envisioning a machine that “spouts a load of waffle, makes up random facts, and says it wants to help despite doing anything but.” Meanwhile, tiggity envisioned a scenario where Excel would benefit from an assistant that could provide blunt advice: “It looks like you are trying to use Excel as a database substitute. Don’t do that you colossal bell end; use a database rather than abusing a spreadsheet.”
However, it was Sureo who delivered the most straightforward suggestion: “Why don’t they just ask the AI what to do?” This prompted an exploration of what the AI itself might suggest for its own placement.
In a playful twist, ChatGPT proposed a variety of unconventional ideas, including “On the Toilet – Copilot could help with bathroom reading material, suggesting articles, jokes, or even providing personal productivity tips for your 5-minute break.” Meanwhile, Copilot itself cheekily suggested, “Toasters: Ever wondered if your toast is evenly browned? Let Copilot take over and give you perfect slices every time, complete with morning pep talks.” The absurdity of such a scenario is not lost on anyone.
When informed about winning the dreaded XP sweater, OpenAI’s service responded with enthusiasm, stating, “Thank you!
I’ll be rocking that Windows-themed ugly sweater with pride this Christmas!” However, the reality of a data center donning a festive garment is a humorous thought, especially considering the logistical challenges of fitting such a sweater over a server rack.
In the end, the title of this year’s whimsical competition goes to Sureo, whose suggestion to simply ask the AI proved to be the most sensible among a sea of creative ideas. As the XP sweater awaits its new owner, one can only imagine the various fates it may encounter—worn with pride, splattered with gravy, or perhaps a combination of both.