Earlier this month, Microsoft released a significant update to its Copilot AI tool under the guidance of the company’s new AI chief Mustafa Suleiman. Suleman, a recent addition to DeepMind, envisions the new Copilot as a “companion” that provides support, education, and assistance to users with various tasks. However, rather than widespread praise, the update has drawn criticism from both Microsoft employees and ordinary users, who feel the latest version is a step backward.

As Business Insider reports, several Microsoft employees expressed their frustration on Blind, a forum where staff members anonymously discuss workplace issues. One user wrote, “Absolutely ruined”, while another described the updated CoPilot as “stupid” and “less functional”. Microsoft’s App Store feedback further reinforces this sentiment, as the app has been flooded with negative reviews since the update. The app previously boasted a strong 4.8-star rating, but since October 1 it has received more than 250 one-star reviews, compared to only 20 one-star ratings in September.

Users cited specific complaints, including frequent app freezes, slow response times, and loss of real-time information features such as sports scores and local recommendations. Several users also noted that they can no longer delete previous conversations, and the image creation feature now only creates one image per request instead of four. One App Store reviewer questioned, “Why was such an amazing app released and then why was it updated to the current one?”

In response to the feedback, Divya Kumar, general manager of Copilot and AI marketing at Microsoft, explained that the updated Copilot app aims to move from a simple transaction tool to a more conversational AI companion. According to Kumar, the redesigned interface aims to create a “simpler, cooler experience” with new voice features to make conversations more natural and enjoyable. He assured users that Microsoft will continue to add features based on feedback.

However, some employees pointed out that the new consumer-focused CoPilot pales in comparison to the version embedded in Microsoft’s M365 suite for corporate users. The corporate version, designed for business productivity, was labeled “superior” by many Microsoft employees, underscoring confusion about the differences between the various CoPilot tools.

While Microsoft acknowledges that changes to a familiar app can bring initial challenges, some users are not interested in the “AI companion” model. One review summarized this perspective by saying, “I don’t need an AI friend; I need a tool.”