Microsoft is forcing its AI assistant on people-and making them pay
Mint Mumbai|December 27, 2024
Microsoft is trying a new approach to excitement for its artificial intelligence assistant Copilot: Give it to customers whether they want it or not.
Tom Dotan
Microsoft is forcing its AI assistant on people-and making them pay

The tech company recently added Copilot to its consumer subscription service for software including Word, Excel and PowerPoint in Australia and several Southeast Asian countries. Along with the AI feature, it raised prices for everyone who uses the service, called Microsoft 365, in those countries.

What about people who don't want to pay for an AI assistant to spruce up their documents and summarize emails? They are out of luck.

Alistair Fleming uses Word to write scripts for his YouTube channel about 1990s Japanese wrestling. The Australian noticed that every time he finished a line, Copilot's rainbow logo would pop up on screen and screen and ask if it could help with his writing.

"It was very keen to be used, and this was irritating to me as a user," Fleming said.

Fleming also noticed his monthly bill for 365 increased to 16 Australian dollars from A$11.

Some users said on social media that Copilot pop-ups reminded them of Clippy, Microsoft's widely derided Office helper from the late 1990s, that would frequently offer unsolicited help.

A Microsoft spokesman wouldn't comment on the strategy behind the forced addition of Copilot in certain regions and whether the company plans a similar approach in other markets.

Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin December 27, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Mint Mumbai dergisinin December 27, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MINT MUMBAI DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Mint Mumbai

KKR to lead Leap India's 535 crore funding

Leap India Pvt. Ltd, a storage and supply chain services provider that is majority-owned by private equity firm KKR, is raising ₹535 crore (around $62.7 million) in its latest funding round led by KKR, along with participation from Sixth Sense, First Bridge India, Madhurima International and Niveshaay Sambhav Fund, as well as a few angel investors.

time-read
1 min  |
December 27, 2024
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEW GREEN ECONOMY: BIG QUESTIONS FOR $25
Mint Mumbai

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NEW GREEN ECONOMY: BIG QUESTIONS FOR $25

India must navigate China's monopoly in the global supply chain of green goods

time-read
4 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Microsoft is forcing its AI assistant on people-and making them pay
Mint Mumbai

Microsoft is forcing its AI assistant on people-and making them pay

Microsoft is trying a new approach to excitement for its artificial intelligence assistant Copilot: Give it to customers whether they want it or not.

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Do fashion collabs give both brands an edge?
Mint Mumbai

Do fashion collabs give both brands an edge?

As international luxury brands look to connect with Indian buyers, collaborations with Indian designers have increased

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Purists Don't Want Bakers to 'Mess' With the Mince Pie
Mint Mumbai

Purists Don't Want Bakers to 'Mess' With the Mince Pie

Some Brits believe jazzing up the festive treat, made of dried fruit and pastry, takes away its nostalgic value

time-read
2 dak  |
December 27, 2024
How will US federal workers react to the wrath of DOGE?
Mint Mumbai

How will US federal workers react to the wrath of DOGE?

They face hard choices. The US should heed past advice on reforms

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Medium-to-long term priorities that the budget should address
Mint Mumbai

Medium-to-long term priorities that the budget should address

Let's promote job generation in labour-intensive sectors, augment fresh-water supply and invest in cutting-edge technologies

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Spare a thought for over-stressed Indian bureaucrats
Mint Mumbai

Spare a thought for over-stressed Indian bureaucrats

The life of an Indian bureaucrat is a paradox of power and vulnerability.

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
A Manufacturing Sector Revival Is a Must to Uplift Our Economy
Mint Mumbai

A Manufacturing Sector Revival Is a Must to Uplift Our Economy

India requires structural changes that go beyond cosmetic policy tweaks to address the real issues

time-read
3 dak  |
December 27, 2024
Watch 'Industry': Delve into imaginary trading
Mint Mumbai

Watch 'Industry': Delve into imaginary trading

This serial does what the film 'Wall Street' did. It reveals how grubby investment banking can be. But it also shows the power of money to bury hatchets and forge unlikely alliances

time-read
2 dak  |
December 27, 2024