Microsoft updates Microsoft 365 Copilot with speed boost and redesign

Microsoft has launched a revamped version of Microsoft 365 Copilot, introducing a redesigned interface and improved performance metrics for its productivity-focused AI assistant. The update prioritises a cleaner design that the company claims loads twice as fast as the previous iteration, aiming to reduce friction for users interacting with the tool within the Microsoft 365 suite.

Central to the redesign is a feature Microsoft describes as "progressive disclosure." This approach presents tools and controls based on the specific context of the user's prompt, rather than displaying all available options simultaneously. The objective is to provide more reliable and structured responses that are easier to scan, thereby enhancing the utility of the assistant within documents, spreadsheets, and slides.

The update also expands the functionality of the prompt box, which now allows users to format text directly within the interface. The box is designed to expand automatically to accommodate all content typed or pasted by the user. Inside Microsoft 365 applications, Copilot typically opens in a side panel to answer questions or suggest changes, or can be accessed directly from within a paragraph, spreadsheet cell, or slide.

This release follows a recent design overhaul by Google for its Gemini AI app, which similarly allows the chatbot to structure responses based on user prompts. The competitive landscape for enterprise AI tools continues to evolve, with both major technology firms focusing on refining user experience and interface clarity to drive adoption.

The updated Microsoft 365 Copilot is currently rolling out across both desktop and mobile devices. While Microsoft highlights the speed improvements and structural changes, the source material does not specify the exact timeline for the full rollout or the methodology behind the claimed performance gains.