Microsoft introduces AI tools for research and data analysis

Microsoft has unveiled two “deep reasoning” AI agents called Researcher and Analyst for its Microsoft 365 Copilot platform. According to Richard Lawler from The Verge, these tools are designed to handle complex research tasks and data analysis. Researcher, powered by OpenAI’s deep research model, can conduct multi-step research and access third-party data from sources like … Read more

Research reveals citation problems in AI search tools

A comprehensive study conducted by the Tow Center for Digital Journalism has found that AI search tools frequently provide incorrect information, fail to accurately cite sources, and often fabricate URLs. According to the report published in the Columbia Journalism Review, researchers tested eight generative search engines and discovered that they collectively provided incorrect answers to … Read more

Report: Microsoft explores alternatives to OpenAI partnership

Microsoft is actively working to reduce its dependence on OpenAI, according to recent reports from The Information and other news outlets. Despite having invested over $13 billion in OpenAI since 2019, Microsoft appears to be pursuing multiple strategies to develop its own AI capabilities and test models from other providers, signaling a potential shift in … Read more

Microsoft brings Copilot app to Mac with new features

Microsoft has launched a native Copilot app for macOS users in the US, UK, and Canada. According to Tom Warren from The Verge, the app provides access to Microsoft’s web-based AI assistant, allowing users to generate images and text or upload images. The Mac version includes dark mode support and can be activated with Command … Read more

Microsoft opens up Voice and Think Deeper features for all Copilot users

Microsoft is now providing unlimited access to Voice and Think Deeper features for all Copilot users at no cost. The Copilot Team announced these advanced capabilities as part of their effort to build “the ultimate AI companion.” Voice allows for extended voice conversations with the AI, while Think Deeper, powered by OpenAI’s o1 model, handles … Read more

Microsoft introduces efficient Phi-4 for text, image, speech processing

Microsoft has unveiled two new AI models in its Phi series: Phi-4-multimodal with 5.6 billion parameters and Phi-4-mini with 3.8 billion parameters. These small language models (SLMs) deliver exceptional performance while requiring significantly less computing power than larger systems, challenging the notion that bigger AI models are always better. The Phi-4-multimodal model stands out for … Read more

Microsoft offers authors $5,000 to use books for AI training

Microsoft is offering authors $5,000 per book to license their works for AI training through publisher HarperCollins, according to a detailed report by Alice Robb in Bloomberg. Authors would receive half of the licensing fee, amounting to $2,500 before agent commissions. The deal gives Microsoft permission to train its AI models on selected books from … Read more

Microsoft brings advanced AI reasoning to all Copilot versions for free

Microsoft is extending OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model to all Copilot users at no additional cost, Tom Warren reports. The feature, called “Think Deeper,” enables more complex question handling and provides detailed step-by-step answers. It was previously available only to premium subscribers. The tool takes approximately 30 seconds to analyze questions from multiple perspectives. Microsoft AI … Read more

Microsoft hires key DeepMind AI audio researchers for Copilot development

Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has recruited three senior researchers from Google DeepMind, according to a Financial Times report by Melissa Heikkilä. Marco Tagliasacchi and Zalán Borsos, who developed DeepMind’s podcast-generating “Audio Overviews” feature, will join Microsoft’s new AI lab in Zurich. The third hire, Matthias Minderer, will focus on AI vision capabilities. The researchers … Read more

Microsoft revamps Copilot offerings with new pricing and features

Microsoft has announced significant changes to its AI-powered Copilot services, introducing a free business chat option and new pricing for consumer subscriptions. The company is launching Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, a rebranded version of its business AI chat service that includes access to AI agents on a pay-per-use basis. According to Microsoft’s chief marketing officer … Read more