Microsoft is rolling out updates to Copilot, its AI assistant, bringing new features that improve how the AI interacts with users. With new capabilities such as memory and extended vision, Copilot is evolving into a more personalized and intuitive tool for users. However, these advancements come amid controversy over the company firing employees who protested its AI contracts with the Israeli military. The clash between technological progress and ethical responsibility is now taking center stage at Microsoft.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
As Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is unveiling new features for Copilot, including a memory function that allows the AI to remember past conversations and user preferences. This feature makes Copilot more valuable and personalized, recalling details such as a user’s favorite activities or settings. Copilot Memory provides users with tailored suggestions, proactive reminders, and a deeper level of personalization. The company assures users that privacy is a priority, allowing complete control over what Copilot retains, and users can opt to turn off this feature altogether.
In addition to memory, Microsoft is expanding Copilot Vision to mobile and Windows platforms. Initially available only online, Copilot Vision enables users to ask Copilot questions about their screen content. With this update, users can point their cameras at objects and ask Copilot for information about them. This integration is now available in the Copilot app for both iOS and Android and will soon extend to Windows Insiders. These upgrades show Microsoft’s commitment to making Copilot a more integrated tool for users, intending to improve productivity and user experience.
However, these advancements come against the backdrop of internal controversy within the company. Two employees, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, were fired after protesting Microsoft’s work with the Israeli military. The protest occurred during a Microsoft 50th anniversary event, where Aboussad interrupted the speech by Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman to denounce the company’s involvement in providing AI technology for military use. Aboussad accused Microsoft of contributing to the genocide in Gaza by powering military systems used to select bombing targets.
The protests caused a disruption, forcing Suleyman to pause his speech. Aboussad and Agrawal were removed from the event, and Microsoft later decided to terminate their employment. Microsoft stated that Aboussad’s actions were disruptive and her behavior was inappropriate, citing the need to maintain a business environment free of disruptions. The company also emphasized that employees should voice their concerns through the proper channels rather than through public protests.
This incident is not the first time Microsoft has faced internal dissent over its contracts with the Israeli government. Earlier, employees protested against Project Nimbus, a deal that provided cloud services and AI technologies to Israel. Microsoft has defended these contracts, asserting that it operates by international law and ethical guidelines. However, these protests reveal the increasing friction between corporate interests and employee activism, particularly regarding controversial military applications of AI.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Microsoft continues to develop its Copilot technology, making it more personalized and integrated into everyday tasks. As AI evolves and becomes a more significant part of the workplace, it raises questions about the ethical implications of AI technology in military applications. The firing of employees who protested Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli military is likely to spark more discussions on the responsibility of tech companies in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. As the company progresses with AI innovations, it must navigate these ethical concerns while balancing business interests with employee rights and public perception.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech