Inside Microsoft Copilot's next wave: Human-centred AI in action

Microsoft’s latest Copilot update introduces twelve new features that make AI more personal, more connected and more human than ever.

A new chapter for human-centred AI

AI is evolving fast, and while the headlines often focus on automation and disruption, the real story is much more human. Microsoft’s Copilot Fall Release, marks an important step towards human-centred AI – technology that gives people back time, sparks creativity and strengthens collaboration.

At Softcat, we’ve seen how Copilot is already changing the way our people work. From simplifying daily tasks to transforming teamwork, the question is no longer, “what can AI do?” but, “how can AI help people do their best work?”

1. AI that connects us: Copilot Groups

Work has always been a team sport, and the new Copilot Groups takes that to the next level. Groups lets up to 32 people collaborate in real time within a shared AI session. Whether you’re co-writing a proposal or planning a project, Copilot keeps everyone aligned by summarising discussions, splitting tasks and suggesting next steps.

It’s a subtle but powerful shift: AI is no longer a solo tool, it’s a true team player that strengthens collaboration and helps groups make smarter decisions together.

2. Meet Mico, a friendlier face for AI

Microsoft’s new visual companion, Mico, adds warmth and personality to the Copilot experience. Mico listens, reacts and even changes colour to reflect tone and emotion, making voice interactions feel more natural and human.

In many ways, Mico feels like an evolution of the old assistant, Clippy, but far more thoughtful, expressive and useful. Where Clippy once offered light-hearted assistance in simple tasks, Mico is designed to support creativity, focus and wellbeing.

This design choice demonstrates a wider truth about AI: empathy and usability matter as much as intelligence.

3. Memory and Personalisation: AI that remembers what matters

With the new Memory and Personalisation, Copilot can remember useful details such as projects, preferences or important dates. It’s like a digital second brain, ready to recall information so you don’t have to repeat yourself.

You’re always in control, with the ability to edit, update or delete memories at any time. Copilot adapts naturally to your working style, remembering what’s most relevant to you.

This is the sweet spot of AI, smart enough to help, but humble enough to listen.

4. Learn live: Re-imagining how we learn with AI

Another standout feature is Learn Live, a voice-enabled, interactive learning experience. Instead of simply providing answers, Copilot guides you through ideas by asking questions, drawing visual aids and helping you explore new concepts step-by-step, in a more interactive way.

It’s a glimpse into how AI can support continuous learning and curiosity at work, helping people build new skills, explore ideas and engage in more meaningful learning experiences.

Other enhancements that bring it all together

While these four features shine brightest, the Fall Release includes several other updates that make Copilot more personal, proactive and connected:

• Real Talk – a new conversation style where Copilot challenges ideas respectfully and encourages growth.
• Proactive Actions – timely insights and suggestions of next steps based on recent activity.
• Connectors – integrates services such as Outlook, Gmail, Google Drive and Calendar, allowing users to search and access information across multiple platforms securely.
• Copilot for Health – trusted, verified health information from trusted sources, helping users find the right care providers.
• Copilot Mode in Edge – turns your browser into an AI assistant that can see, summarise and act on open tabs.
• Copilot for Windows 11 (AI PC) – introduces voice-activated commands, contextual guidance and quick task resumption with, “Hey Copilot.”
• Pages and Search – allows multi-file uploads and combines AI answers with traditional results for faster, clearer discovery.
• Imagine – a collaborative creative space for remixing and sharing AI-generated images with others.

Together, these twelve enhancements represent a big leap towards an AI that truly supports people, not just processes.

What’s new since the Fall Release

Microsoft hasn’t slowed down - Copilot continues to evolve rapidly, adding new features that make it even more capable, contextual and creative in how people work.

App Builder and Workflow Agents

Copilot now enables users to create custom apps, workflows and agents directly within Microsoft 365, without needing developer expertise. Through natural language prompts,

anyone can design tailored automations that reflect their daily tasks. It’s a step toward true no-code creativity, bringing app building into the flow of everyday work.

Model Routing and GPT-5 Upgrade

Under the hood, Copilot has become even smarter. It now automatically routes tasks to the most suitable model - from quick answers to deep reasoning - powered by the latest GPT-5 foundation models. This means every interaction is faster, more accurate and contextually aware.

Researcher with Computer Use

One of the newest capabilities, Researcher with Computer Use, allows Copilot to perform deeper, controlled research across trusted web and enterprise data sources. Users can explore, compare and compile information securely, giving Copilot the ability to assist not only with productivity but also with genuine discovery and critical thinking.

Teams Mode for Copilot

Building on the collaborative theme, Teams Mode brings Copilot directly into shared discussions, letting colleagues co-create in real time within Microsoft Teams. Whether brainstorming, planning or refining content, teams can now work alongside Copilot as a true participant in the conversation.

Copilot Chat and Productivity Enhancements

Rounding out the latest updates, Microsoft has introduced subtle but powerful refinements across the Copilot experience. You can now @mention and pin custom agents within chat or Teams meetings. In Outlook, Copilot can automatically build structured meeting agendas, while Excel’s new Agent Mode supports multi-step workflows in a single conversation. These updates reinforce Copilot’s evolution from a passive assistant into a proactive collaborator that stays one step ahead of your needs.

Why it matters

This release reflects where AI is truly heading – towards connection, empathy and adaptability. For organisations, it’s a reminder that technology’s greatest value lies not in automation, but in how it elevates and amplifies human potential.

Human-centred AI isn’t a trend — it’s the new standard.

Looking ahead

The Fall Release signals a new era of AI adoption - one centred on people, not platforms. The next step is helping organisations move from experimentation to everyday impact, where Copilot becomes part of the culture as much as the toolkit.

As Copilot continues to evolve, Softcat is helping customers embrace this change in practical, secure and people-first ways.

When technology feels personal and intuitive, adoption follows naturally. That’s the shift we’re already seeing from customers who view Copilot not as a product, but as a partner in how they think, create and collaborate.

To learn more about how Softcat can support your organisation’s Copilot journey, visit softcat.com/microsoft.

If you’d like to discuss what this means for your organisation, please reach out to your Softcat Account Manager or contact our Sales team.