Microsoft Copilot AI to replace Cortana

It’s the end of the road for Cortana and the start of a whole new journey with Microsoft Copilot AI

Microsoft Copilot AI to replace Cortana – in case you missed it! Microsoft officially announced that starting in August 2023 they will no longer support Cortana as the focus is now very much on Microsoft Copilot next generation AI tools. Cortana was Microsoft’s personal productivity or virtual assistant that helped users save time and focus attention on the tasks that really mattered.

So, what does the Microsoft announcement mean? Essentially, they have stopped all support for Cortana but users will still be able to get access to AI features in Windows and Microsoft Edge.

The Microsoft statement went on to say “…users can still access powerful productivity features in Windows and Edge, which have increased AI capabilities. This means you can still get help with your tasks, calendar, and email, but in new and exciting ways.”

A unique feature of Cortana was its virtual assistant capabilities including voice commands to instruct the virtual assistant on planned tasks. Microsoft have now replaced this feature with new voice access which enables users to control their desktops and the ability to write text using your voice commands.

These voice access features also works offline where users can switch between apps, read / write emails, browse online and much more. Added to this is the access to Microsoft’s AI tools powered by Open AI’s ChatGPT.

Microsoft have also launched a host of Copilot features across its technology platforms and including Dynamics 365 ERP & CRM Solutions which will greatly enhance the user productivity experience to help people to work smarter and faster.

In a recent announcement, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, shared their update on the new dawn of computing capability and where much of Microsoft’s recent strong performance is due to its ongoing investment in ChatGPT and AI tools.

Microsoft continue to be the leading Cloud platform to enable customers to get the bet ROI out of their digital spend in the AI driven generation.

What does the new style virtual assistant mean for Dynamics 365?

Copilot is an AI assistant that helps sales teams be more productive and efficient in their daily work. It has a chat interface that sellers can use to get a quick summary of their opportunity and lead records, catch up on updates, prepare for meetings, and so on.

Copilot is also available as an add-in and an integrated app in Outlook and Teams respectively, allowing you to capture, access, and update your CRM data from the apps you use every day. It also has generative AI capabilities such as record summarization and email content generation. Check out our previous blog to learn more about what Dynamics 365 AI enabled by D365 Copilot can do for your business.

Microsoft Copilot AI to replace Cortana

Microsoft official Update 2023: End of support for Cortana

We’re making some changes to Windows and Microsoft 365 that will impact Cortana users. Cortana in Windows as a standalone app is deprecated. Support for Cortana in Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams display, and Microsoft Teams Rooms will end in the fall of 2023. Voice assistance in Outlook mobile and Microsoft 365 mobile will also end in the fall of 2023, however we will continue to support the Play My Emails feature in Outlook mobile.

We understand this may affect the way you work, but there are new and exciting ways you can get help with your tasks, calendar, email, and more.

Voice access in Windows 11: This is a new feature in Windows 11 that lets you control your PC and write text using your voice. You can use voice commands to open and switch between apps, browse the web, and read and write emails. Voice access works offline and uses advanced speech recognition to understand your speech and help you get things done.

The new Bing: The new AI-powered Bing lets you ask complex questions and get concise answers from reliable sources on the web. You can type or speak your questions and Bing Chat will give you a succinct answer citing multiple trusted sources.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: This is a new feature that uses AI to turn your words into a powerful productivity tool. Copilot uses your Microsoft 365 data—such as your calendar, emails, chats, documents, and meetings—to help you create, edit, share content, and more. Copilot adheres to Microsoft’s AI principles and Responsible AI Standards to ensure your data is secure and private.

Windows Copilot: Available in preview for Windows 11 in June, Windows Copilot provides centralized AI assistance. Together, with Bing Chat and first- and third-party plugins, you can focus on bringing your ideas to life, completing complex projects, and collaborating instead of spending energy finding, launching, and working across multiple applications.

We are excited to keep innovating and using AI to help you work smarter and faster. We hope you enjoy the new ways to use AI to save time and focus on what matters most to you.