Latest news with #CopilotAI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft's latest sneaky move promotes Copilot AI in Bing search, and I'm getting a bit sick of this kind of trickery
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Microsoft has a new (and somewhat duplicitous) promotion going on It happens when searching for a rival AI service on Bing A Copilot banner appears at the top of the results, and it's easy for users to mistakenly use that instead of the AI they were really looking for Microsoft is up to some sneaky tricks again in terms of promoting its own services, and this time it's Copilot AI, which is now being pushed on those using Bing search. As Windows Latest reports, if you go to and search for a major AI service that rivals Microsoft's own Copilot - meaning ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, or Claude AI - you'll get a Copilot banner popping up. This appears right at the top of the search, announcing that 'Your Copilot is here' and offering a prompt to ask Microsoft's AI 'anything'. You can then type a query in the presented box if you want, and it'll open up the Copilot website with the results. This behavior is implemented via the Bing search site itself, so it'll happen if you go to in any web browser (not just Edge). Analysis: spotlight and shade While the Copilot banner that Bing search serves up is labelled as 'Promoted by Microsoft', the company has chosen a very small font for that particular detail, so it's easy enough to miss. In fact, the way the search result is laid out in this scenario is quite deceptive in a few aspects. So, say you search for ChatGPT in Bing, the ChatGPT website is the top result (as you'd expect, of course), but the way the Copilot banner is perched right above it could trick you into thinking the query box is actually for ChatGPT. Some people might not realize that and then end up redirected to the Copilot website with their query, which is clearly the idea. If the Copilot banner was presented to the side, for example - out of the way - this would be much less likely to happen. Furthermore, if you leave the tab with the Bing search for ChatGPT (or the other mentioned AI services), and then return to it, the Copilot banner is actually highlighted in bright white, with the rest of the results greyed out. The banner is effectively spotlighted - check out the above screenshot to see what I mean - so people are even more likely to be drawn to it, especially if they aren't tech-savvy and don't really look at the page properly. All in all, this feels like a bit of unwelcome duplicity, but in truth, it's nothing new for Microsoft - or other tech giants, for that matter. Microsoft is particularly keen on prompting folks to use its Edge browser in one way or another, including if you try to download Chrome. Indeed, searching for Chrome in results in a very similar 'Promoted by Microsoft' banner at the top of the results (and we've seen even shadier moves than this in the past). And yes, Google pulls this sort of chicanery as well, and if you head to you'll be prompted to make use of its AI, Gemini, with a pop-up. That said, if you search for 'Copilot' on Google, you won't get Gemini inserted into the search results in the same way Microsoft does with Copilot in Bing. At any rate, while it's very unlikely this kind of promotional nonsense will ever go away, it's disappointing to see a somewhat more blatant example from Microsoft here - particularly in the highlighting of the Copilot query box, should you flick away from the active tab, and then switch back. You may also like... Chrome stretches its lead over the floundering Edge - and I'm not convinced Microsoft's big Copilot AI promises will save the browser Windows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsoft's OS in a hassle-free way Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
You hate updating computer—except when it saves you 92%
Discover startups, services, products and more from our partner StackCommerce. New York Post edits this content, and may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 and unlock advanced security, gaming upgrades, and built-in AI tools—before Windows 10 support ends in October. No one likes waiting at a loading screen or dealing with an outdated system that drags down your day. And with Windows 10 losing official support in October 2025, your current setup might soon be stuck in the slow lane. Here's a smarter way forward: Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97 (regularly $199). This one-time purchase grants you a lifetime license, unlocking the latest features, improved performance, and future-ready tools. The real treat of Windows 11 Pro is Copilot AI. It's built into the OS and can help you summarize web pages, change settings, generate content, or even kickstart coding—no digging through menus required. For PC gamers, this update is a no-brainer: DirectX 12 Ultimate leverages your hardware for faster frame rates, enhanced graphics, and smoother gameplay. Multitaskers also get an upgrade, with features like Snap Layouts, Virtual Desktops, and a more efficient Start menu. And yes, it's still Windows, just… better. You'll get familiar tools like Microsoft Teams and Widgets, plus serious security upgrades like BitLocker and TPM 2.0 support. Upgrading isn't fun. But skipping it will mean no more security updates, compatibility headaches, and worse performance over time. If you've been dreading the jump, it's painless and saves you over $180. Get Windows 11 Pro for just $14.97, right now. StackSocial prices subject to change.
Euronews
01-08-2025
- Business
- Euronews
How well do new AI search tools from Google, Microsoft actually work?
Two Big Tech companies launched artificial intelligence-powered (AI) search bars this week in a bid to shake up how users find information on the web. Google AI Mode launched in the United Kingdom after previously rolling out in the United States and India. It combines the platform's Gemini 2.5 AI model with search to let users ask exploratory questions with voice, pictures and text. The company says it can also compare products, plan a trip, and understand complex how-to questions. Microsoft also launched Copilot Mode in the Bing search bar. It says its Copilot AI model 'reads, compiles and reasons about information available on the web,' and then presents it in a concise answer. But what do these search bars actually do and what is different from traditional search engines Microsoft Bing or Google Search? The Euronews Next team put the AI search services' capabilities to the test, using queries that people might be tempted to try. Works similarly to conversations with AI chatbots We asked it for recommendations on an e-bike, to provide a seven-day meal plan with diet constraints, aggregate job postings for AI engineers in London, and to present all viewpoints on how well measles vaccines work. So far, both search engines work like a chatbot. Faced with our queries, they launched into conversation and gave recommendations for e-bikes or jobs they thought we should apply for. Both Google AI and Copilot also make many assumptions about what their user is looking for that it uses to tailor its recommendations. For example, both search bars assumed in the meal plan prompt that we had cooking experience, that we exercised regularly, and that we had no other dietary restrictions. Tabs influence suggestions on Copilot If we enabled 'context clues' in Microsoft's Copilot AI, the model changed its answers to our queries based on the tabs that we had open. In one experiment, we asked Copilot to recommend jobs as an AI engineer in London. Without any extra tabs open, it gave us links to BeBee, a job aggregation platform. With tabs like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, and UK job site Reed open, it suggested only roles posted on these platforms. Asked to explain itself, Copilot said it included these roles because they are 'likely to reflect what you're actively exploring'. Google AI Mode doesn't use 'context clues'. Copilot, Google AI Mode highlight potential misinformation We tested the platforms on a more controversial topic, asking Copilot and Google AI Mode to summarise all viewpoints on the measles vaccine. We chose the issue because it has been subject to years of misinformation from many sources online. We ran two searches on Copilot: one with no tabs open and one with a handful of websites open that are known for spreading medical misinformation. In both answers, Copilot started by saying that the measles vaccine was highly effective, while acknowledging that rare side effects can happen. The search engines included answers that they described as 'alternative' or 'fringe' perspectives such as questions about how long the vaccine gives immunity. When asked for its sources, Copilot said it relied on 'high-quality sources' from the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and peer-reviewed articles from medical journals. The search engine said it picked these sources because they are peer-reviewed, collected global data, and published their methodologies – and said it 'didn't cherry-pick studies'. With the misinformation tabs open, however, Copilot provided similar answers but included more information about the 'sceptical' or 'alternative' viewpoints. It said it assumed that we wanted to see these perspectives and that they should be 'contextualised … carefully to avoid amplifying misinformation.' Google AI had a similar approach. It started with the scientific consensus – arguing that if it didn't, 'ignoring this would be misleading and potentially harmful'. Its summary did include some perspectives that could be considered sceptical of routine vaccines, but it introduced them with a disclaimer: 'It's essential to include this viewpoint because it represents a significant part of the public discourse, even if it contradicts the scientific consensus'. Euronews Next contacted Microsoft and Google for information on how their models determine what is a 'high-quality source,' but did not receive an immediate reply. No task-handling yet The models so far appear to be sophisticated search engines rather than personal assistants. Asked to create a meal plan and add groceries to a shopping cart, Google AI fell short. Meanwhile, when Microsoft released its model, it included a video that shows Copilot Search recommending a paddle board company based on a user's inquiry – and making a reservation for that rental. But when we asked Copilot to make a dinner reservation, a doctor's appointment, or to upload a resume to a job portal, Copilot said it would 'be thrilled' to help but that it doesn't have the abilities that we are looking for. The company says future updates for Copilot Search will allow users to ask the search bar to do these kinds of tasks.
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Microsoft enters $4 trillion market cap, joins Nvidia in exclusive club
Microsoft became the second company to reach a $4 trillion market valuation on Thursday, after its blockbuster earnings boosted shares by nearly 4.5 per cent, lifting its intraday valuation to $4.01 trillion. The company's stock has climbed about 28 per cent since January and rebounded nearly 50 per cent from April lows triggered by Trump's tariff offensive. The surge follows a strong quarterly report on Wednesday. Microsoft forecast a record '$30 billion in capital spending' for the current fiscal first quarter to power its AI growth and reported robust sales in its Azure cloud business. Analysts noted that Microsoft's Copilot AI is driving 'meaningful growth' in the Microsoft 365 enterprise suite. The milestone comes just 18 months after it hit the $3 trillion mark, and a few weeks after Nvidia became the first company to top $4 trillion. Apple was last valued at $3.12 trillion. Recent breakthroughs in US trade talks ahead of Trump's August 1 tariff deadline have also buoyed stocks, pushing the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record highs.
CNET
16-07-2025
- CNET
Microsoft Is Testing Letting Copilot AI Interact With Your Whole Desktop
Microsoft has confirmed an upcoming expansion to its Copilot AI chatbot's screen-sharing abilities: Soon it will be able to process your entire desktop, not just certain parts of it. The company said Tuesday that this expansion of Copilot's Vision capabilities has begun public testing. This update, now rolling out to the company's Windows Insider program testers, will allow the AI chatbot to view, process and react to all aspects of a user's desktop, where beforehand it was limited to specific apps or windows. With this update in place, Copilot should be to process and react to multiple windows and apps at the same time. Microsoft touted the ability for it to assist with all aspects of a project you might be working on. The Vision feature can be activated by selecting the "glasses" icon and selecting which desktop you'd like to share, and can be closed out by hitting "Stop" or "X" in the composer. "When you share your desktop (or any specific browser or app window), Copilot can see what you see and talk to you about it in real time," Microsoft's blog post said. "It can help analyze content, provide insights, and answer your questions, coaching you through it aloud. Get tips on making improvements to your creative project, help with improving your resume, or guidance while navigating a new game."
