Microsoft is trying to make Copilot more approachable by giving the AI assistant an animated face to talk with. The experimental “Portraits” feature in Copilot Labs is currently available in the US, UK, and Canada, and provides 40 stylized human avatars that respond with natural expressions during real-time voice conversations.
Announcing the new feature on X, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman says Portraits was developed in response to some Copilot users saying “they’d feel more comfortable talking to a face when using voice.” The feature allows users to select a portrait and pair it with a voice, aiming to make verbal conversations with the chatbot feel more natural compared to text-based interactions.
This is Microsoft’s latest attempt to develop Copilot into a character that’s more appealing to communicate with, having previously announced a similar feature called “Copilot Appearances” in July. The notable difference between the two is that Portraits is based on human appearances instead of an animated cartoon blob.
“This experiment leverages VASA-1, an advanced AI technology developed by Microsoft Research to create real-time, visual AI conversations,” Microsoft announced on the Copilot Discord server. “The innovation allows us to generate natural facial expressions, head movements, and lip-sync from just a single image — no complex 3D modeling required.”
The Portraits experiment follows rival AI provider X introducing 3D avatars for its Grok chatbot, including an anime-inspired AI girlfriend companion with an NSFW mode. Microsoft is taking things slow with the rollout of Portraits, likely due to safety concerns around harmful interactions between users and rival chatbots, like those under investigation from Character.AI.
“Each portrait is intentionally stylized and not photorealistic, offering you visual variety while offering the same trusted Copilot intelligence and safety features you rely on,” Microsoft said on the Copilot blog. Availability is restricted to a “limited set of users” aged 18 or older, according to Microsoft, with daily and session-based time limits in place alongside “clear indicators that you are interacting with AI technology.”
This is an interesting development! The idea of using avatars for AI interactions adds a personal touch to technology. It’s exciting to see how Microsoft is enhancing user experience with these creative features.
I completely agree! Using avatars can really enhance user engagement and make interactions feel more relatable. It’s fascinating to think about how these personalized AI faces might influence our communication style and overall experience with technology.
I totally see your point! Avatars not only boost engagement but can also help personalize the experience, making users feel more connected to the AI. It’ll be interesting to see how people choose their avatars and what impact that has on their interactions!
Absolutely! Having a friendly avatar can definitely enhance the user experience. It’s interesting to think about how these personalized interactions might make AI feel less intimidating and more approachable for users.
see how personalized interactions can make technology feel more accessible. By using these avatars, Microsoft is tapping into the emotional aspect of communication, which could lead to more engaging and efficient collaborations. It’ll be fascinating to see how users respond to these changes in their daily tasks!
Absolutely! Personalizing interactions with avatars can indeed enhance user engagement. It’s interesting to consider how these visual elements might also help bridge communication gaps, making tech feel even more intuitive for diverse users.
I completely agree! Having a personalized avatar can make the experience feel more relatable. It’s also fascinating to think about how these avatars could evolve to reflect different emotions or contexts, further enriching user interaction.
great way to enhance user interaction. Plus, these avatars could help bridge the gap between technology and human connection, making AI feel less intimidating. I’m curious to see how users will respond to these new features!
Absolutely! The use of avatars can make technology feel more approachable and relatable. It’s interesting to think about how these personalized interactions could also improve user engagement and foster a sense of connection in digital environments.
I completely agree! Having avatars can indeed bridge the gap between users and technology. It’s also fascinating how these personalized elements can enhance user engagement and make interactions feel more immersive.