Introducing a more immersive chat experience with Copilot Portraits

Overview

Microsoft introduced Copilot Portraits, a set of animated portraits that add visual presence to the Copilot Voice experience. The 40 pre-selected, stylized portraits include real-time voice and animations during conversations to provide a more natural flow than text-based interactions. Released through Copilot Labs, Portraits is available to a limited set of users in Canada, the UK, and the US, with safety measures including session and daily time limits and an 18-and-over age requirement.

Key Takeaways

Copilot Portraits adds animated portraits to the Copilot Voice experience.
There are 40 pre-selected, stylized portraits with real-time voice and animations.
The portraits are intentionally stylized and not photorealistic.
Portraits launched through Copilot Labs to a limited set of users in Canada, the UK, and the US.
Safety measures include time limits per session and per day and an 18-and-over requirement.
Microsoft provides clear indicators that users are interacting with AI technology.

Stats & Key Facts

#40 pre-selected portraits
#Available in 3 countries: Canada, the UK, and the US
#Restricted to users 18 years or older

What Copilot Portraits is

Portraits brings a visual layer to Copilot Voice.

›It is a series of animated portraits that add to the Copilot Voice experience.
›The 40 portraits include real-time voice and animations during conversations.
›They aim to provide a more natural flow than text-based interactions.

Microsoft frames Voice as a defining feature of Copilot and says customers consistently say Voice is their favorite way to interact with it. Portraits responds to interest in more visual cues during conversations.

How to use Portraits

Portraits is available through Copilot Labs.

›Go to the Portraits section of the Copilot Labs page.
›Browse and select the portrait that fits your preference.
›Choose a voice that feels right and start a voice conversation.

Microsoft suggests Portraits for brainstorming ideas, practicing for an upcoming interview, or exploring a new topic.

Design choices

The portraits are stylized by design.

›Each portrait is intentionally stylized and not photorealistic.
›They offer visual variety.
›They keep the same Copilot intelligence and safety features users rely on.

Safety and access

Microsoft is taking a measured approach to the experiment.

›Portraits maintains the same guardrails and content filters as Copilot.
›Time limits are implemented per session and per day to encourage healthy usage.
›Portraits is only available to users 18 years or older.

Microsoft says it provides clear indicators that the user is interacting with AI technology.

Availability and rollout

The feature starts small and will expand.

›Portraits is available to a limited set of users today through Copilot Labs.
›It is offered in Canada, the UK, and the US.
›Microsoft says it will gather feedback and keep iterating before broader availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Copilot Portraits?

It is a series of 40 animated, stylized portraits that add real-time voice and animations to the Copilot Voice experience for a more natural conversational flow.

Where is Copilot Portraits available?

It is available to a limited set of users through Copilot Labs in Canada, the UK, and the US.

Are the portraits photorealistic?

No. Each portrait is intentionally stylized and not photorealistic, offering visual variety while keeping Copilot's intelligence and safety features.

What safety measures apply to Portraits?

Portraits keeps Copilot's guardrails and content filters, applies time limits per session and per day, is limited to users 18 or older, and shows clear indicators that the user is interacting with AI.

What can people use Portraits for?

Microsoft suggests using Portraits to brainstorm ideas, practice for an upcoming interview, or explore a new topic.

Microsoft says it will continue iterating on Portraits and roll it out to more people over time.