Microsoft has made several exciting announcements today, unveiling a redesigned look for its Copilot AI search and chatbot experience, introducing new AI image creation and editing functionality, and introducing a new AI model called Deucalion. These updates demonstrate Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Copilot and positioning it as a powerful tool for content creation and software development.
The redesigned Copilot landing page on the web features a cleaner look with more white space and less text. However, it also incorporates a visual carousel of “cards” that showcase different AI-generated images as examples of what users can create. Additionally, samples of the instructions or prompts that users can type in to generate these images are displayed. The new Copilot is available to all users at “copilot.microsoft.com” and through the Copilot app on iOS and Android.
One of the most exciting aspects of Microsoft’s announcement is the release of a new video ad that will air during the upcoming NFL Super Bowl championship game. This ad aims to showcase the capabilities of Copilot beyond just search, highlighting its ability to generate storyboard images for movie scripts and code for 3D open-world games. Microsoft’s message is clear: Copilot is not just a search tool but a creative tool that can assist users in various industries, including entertainment.
The emphasis on targeting the entertainment industry is particularly noteworthy, considering the resistance from actors, writers, performers, and game makers who fear that AI will take away their job opportunities. Microsoft’s ad brushes past these objections, positioning Copilot as a tool for up-and-coming individuals looking to make their mark in the industry.
Microsoft is also introducing new AI image generation and editing capabilities to Copilot. These features are powered by Designer AI, which is supported by OpenAI’s DALL-E 3 image generation AI model. With Designer in Copilot, users can not only create images but also customize them with inline editing. They can enhance colors, blur backgrounds, apply different effects like pixel art, and even resize and regenerate images between square and landscape formats. Microsoft is determined to make AI image generation more accessible to users across mobile and desktop platforms.
Despite recent scandals involving AI-generated deepfakes, Microsoft remains undeterred in its pursuit of advancing AI image generation capabilities. The company is committed to making these capabilities more accessible while disregarding criticisms and legal challenges. Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI and its support for Designer AI demonstrate its dedication to pushing the boundaries of AI technology.
Buried within the announcements is the introduction of a new AI model called Deucalion. Although not explicitly mentioned in the release, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President and Head of Engineering for Copilot and Bing, Jordi Ribas, revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Deucalion has been added to one version of Copilot. This fine-tuned model enhances the Balanced mode of Copilot, providing richer and faster results. While it is unclear which base model Deucalion is built upon, it is likely a version of OpenAI’s GPT-4 that has been further tweaked by Microsoft engineers.
The introduction of Deucalion has received positive feedback from users. They have noticed that the answers provided in Copilot’s Balanced mode are better and more comprehensive compared to the Creative mode. Additionally, Deucalion-powered Balanced mode offers superior translation capabilities. Microsoft’s commitment to continuously improving Copilot and incorporating user feedback is evident in these updates.
Overall, Microsoft’s latest announcements demonstrate its dedication to enhancing Copilot’s capabilities and positioning it as a powerful tool for content creation and software development. With its redesigned look, AI image creation and editing functionality, and the introduction of Deucalion, Copilot is poised to become an indispensable tool for individuals across various industries.
