The new Clippy? Microsoft unveils Mico, an AI character embodying its Copilot assistant

Clippy, the animated paper clip that annoyed Microsoft Office users nearly three decades ago, might have just been ahead of its time.

Microsoft introduced a new artificial intelligence character called Mico (pronounced MEE-koh) on Thursday, a floating cartoon face shaped like a blob or flame that would embody the software giant’s Copilot virtual assistant and marked the latest attempt by tech companies to imbue their AI chatbots with more of a personality.

Copilot’s new emoji-like exterior comes as AI developers face a crossroads in how they present their increasingly capable chatbots to consumers without causing harm or backlash.

Some have opted for faceless symbols, others like Elon Musk’s xAI are selling flirtatious, humanlike avatars and Microsoft is looking for a middle ground that is friendly without being obsequious.

“When you talk about something sad, you can see Mico’s face change. You can see it dance around and move as it gets excited with you,” said Jacob Andreou, corporate vice-president of product and growth for Microsoft AI. “It’s in this effort of really landing this AI companion that you can really feel.”

In the US only so far, Copilot users on laptops and phone apps can speak to Mico, which changes colours, spins around and wears glasses when in “study” mode.