Microsoft Copilot gets social, long-term memory, and health expertise

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman announced the Copilot Fall Release, an update that reframes the AI assistant as a human-centred companion. The update introduces 12 new features centred on collaboration, personalised memory, and specialised support across work and personal life.

The focus moves away from simply generating answers to empowering human judgment, sparking creativity, and providing users with more time.

From solo assistant to social collaborator

The new Copilot release emphasises social interaction, transforming the tool into a shared digital workspace. The Groups feature allows up to 32 people; classmates, friends, or colleagues, to collaborate in real time.

Furthermore, Imagine introduces a collaborative space for creative work. Users can explore, like, and remix AI-generated ideas, multiplying creative output within a shared ecosystem.

Building a personalised memory

A key component of this update is a focus on personalisation and persistent memory. Copilot now features long-term memory, essentially acting as a ‘second brain’. Users can instruct Copilot to remember vital information, such as a marathon training goal or an anniversary date, and the AI will recall it in future interactions. Users always retain control, with the ability to edit, update, or delete these memories as needed.

To extend its utility, the new Connectors feature allows Copilot to reach beyond the Microsoft ecosystem. With explicit user consent, Copilot can link to external services like OneDrive, Outlook, Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. This integration enables users to search for documents, emails, and calendar events across multiple accounts using simple, natural language queries. Separately, Proactive Actions, rolling out in "Deep Research," signals a shift toward anticipatory support, with Copilot offering timely insights and suggesting next steps based on recent activity.

Specialised support for health and education

Microsoft is targeting health and education, two frequent use cases for AI.

For health inquiries, Copilot for Health has improved its responses by grounding them in credible sources like Harvard Health. Beyond providing reliable information, it helps users quickly find suitable doctors by filtering based on specialty, location, language, and other preferences. The goal is to give people high-quality information and connect them to appropriate care faster.

In education, Learn Live turns Copilot into a voice-enabled, Socratic tutor. Instead of delivering direct answers, it guides users through complex concepts using questions, visual cues, and interactive whiteboards, making learning more engaging for tasks like exam preparation or language practice.

A new face and voice for the AI

The relationship with the AI companion gets a more personal touch with Mico, an optional visual character whose name is a nod to Microsoft Copilot. Mico is expressive and customizable, using animations and color changes to reflect user interactions and make voice conversations feel more natural.

Users can also select new conversation styles, such as real talk, a collaborative model designed to politely challenge assumptions and adapt to the user’s vibe. This style encourages growth and connection, reinforcing Microsoft’s stance that the AI should be supportive, not simply agreeable.

Deep integration across Windows and Edge

The update significantly expands Copilot’s capabilities across Microsoft's core platforms.

• Copilot Mode in Edge evolves the browser into an "AI browser" companion. With permission, Copilot can reason over all open tabs, summarizing and comparing information, and even taking Actions like booking a hotel. The new Journeys feature organizes past browsing into meaningful storylines, allowing users to effortlessly resume tasks.

• Copilot on Windows aims to make every Windows 11 device an "AI PC." Users can activate the assistant anytime by saying the new wake word, “Hey Copilot,” when the feature is enabled and the PC is unlocked. The new Copilot home provides quick access to recent files and apps, while Copilot Vision assists users by analyzing on-screen content to guide them through tasks.

The new features are live now in the US and are rolling out to the UK, Canada, and other markets in the coming weeks.