In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft’s latest update to its Copilot AI assistant, unveiled on October 1, has led to widespread dissatisfaction among both users and employees.

Many testers, subjected to the new version spearheaded by Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind and now head of Microsoft's consumer AI initiatives, have reported numerous glitches and performance issues.

Employees Speak Out

On Blind, a platform for anonymous discussions among verified employees, discontent has erupted, with users expressing their dismay at the revamp.

A multitude of posts reflect increasing frustration, with one employee stating the new version is “absolutely ruined” and numerous others echoing sentiments such as “the new Copilot is a step backward.” Feedback highlighted that, rather than enhancing functionality, the update has resulted in a downgrade.

Many in the Microsoft community lament the loss of essential features that users valued in the previous version, including access to real-time information and the ability to manage conversation history effectively.

User Concerns

Further exacerbating the situation, users are encountering technical problems such as app freezes, sluggish response times, and unhelpful outputs.

The general sentiment has shifted toward disappointing frustration, with users denouncing the new “AI companion” model, favoring a more streamlined and functional interface instead.

One reviewer poignantly remarked, “Why release such an amazing app and then update it to what it is now?”

The sole silver lining noted by a user was the updated interface, described as being designed for general users. However, this is overshadowed by the overwhelming consensus that users desire a “tool” rather than an AI “friend,” a statement that captures the mood of many dissatisfied testers.

Official Statement and Outlook

In response to the backlash, Microsoft’s general manager, Kumar, stated, “Today, you are seeing the first careful steps in this direction with an emphasis on creating a simpler, calmer experience.”

Despite these reassurances, it is clear that the path forward is fraught with opposition from the very individuals who are tasked with developing and promoting the software.

As Microsoft endeavours to redefine the user experience with its AI offerings, it remains to be seen how they will manage these critiques and whether they can restore faith in their flagship Copilot assistant.

Will the push for a friendlier AI prove to be a miscalculation, or can Microsoft pivot back to what users most value—a robust, functional tool? Only time will tell, but for now, the discontent continues to resonate loud and clear.