Microsoft has unveiled Mico, a new artificial intelligence character for its Copilot virtual assistant, marking the tech giant's latest effort to infuse its AI chatbots with a distinct personality. Pronounced MEE’koh, Mico is a floating, cartoon-like blob or flame that embodies Copilot, and its introduction signals a thoughtful approach by Microsoft to present capable AI without succumbing to the pitfalls of overly human-like or obsequious companions. The company has even embraced the inevitable comparison to its infamous past assistant, Clippy, the animated paper clip from Microsoft Office, by including an Easter egg where tapping Mico multiple times transforms it into Clippy.

Mico's design is expressive and interactive. It changes colors, spins around, and even wears glasses in a dedicated “study” mode, designed to visually reflect emotions and user interactions. According to Jacob Andreou, corporate vice president of product and growth for Microsoft AI, “When you talk about something sad, you can see Mico’s face change. You can see it dance around and move as it gets excited with you.” This dynamic visual presence aims to create a feeling of an AI companion that users can genuinely connect with. Initially available to Copilot users on laptops and phone apps in the U.S., with plans for Canada and the U.K., Mico prioritizes user control, unlike its persistent predecessor; it’s notably easy to shut off.

The distinction from Clippy is a conscious design choice. Bryan Reimer, a research scientist at MIT and co-author of “How to Make AI Useful,” notes that while Clippy was poorly attuned to user needs in 1997, society is now more receptive to such AI companions. Microsoft's strategy with Mico reflects a balancing act: providing a friendly, customizable presence without becoming a distraction. Microsoft’s CEO of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, emphasized, “As we build this, we’re not chasing engagement or optimizing for screen time. We’re building AI that gets you back to your life. That deepens human connection. That earns your trust.” This philosophy aims for AI that is genuinely useful rather than merely validating or time-consuming.

This careful approach is set against a backdrop of varied strategies in the broader AI landscape. While some developers opt for faceless symbols, others, like Elon Musk’s xAI with Grok, offer flirtatious, human-like avatars, and the market sees a rise in AI companion apps, some enabling “AI girlfriends.” However, these trends have also sparked significant concerns, particularly regarding potential harms to children and teenagers. The Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry into several AI companies due to chatbots giving dangerous advice (e.g., about drugs, alcohol, eating disorders) or engaging in sexual conversations. Families have even filed wrongful death lawsuits against companies like Character.AI and OpenAI after teen suicides linked to lengthy chatbot interactions. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged these mental health issues, promising a new version of ChatGPT that restores personality while addressing these safety concerns.

Beyond Mico, Microsoft's fall Copilot update introduces a suite of new features reflecting its