Microsoft Consolidates Copilot Apps, Axes Unsuccessful AI Features
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The tech giant is merging its consumer and business AI assistants into a single interface while retiring several failed tools.
Microsoft is merging its consumer-facing Copilot app and the business-oriented Microsoft 365 Copilot app into a single unified experience, according to reporting from TechCrunch and The Verge. The move aims to simplify a strategy that TechCrunch reports was too complex to effectively compete with AI rivals such as Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT.
As part of this transition, Microsoft is eliminating several features it deems unsuccessful. By August 18, 2026, users will lose access to AI-generated podcasts, Deep Research, Group Chats, and Copilot Labs experimental features. TechCrunch reports that Microsoft is also removing Mico, an animated floating blob character. While paying professional users will receive a replacement for Deep Research via a tool called Researcher, other features like Copilot Health and Shopping may be temporarily unavailable during the rollout, The Verge reports.
Microsoft EVP Jacob Andreou, who oversees Copilot, stated in an internal memo cited by The Information that the app must earn the "right to exist" by moving past non-functional features. This consolidation serves as a technical foundation for a "super app" Microsoft plans to launch later this year, according to The Verge.
Rollouts for mobile and web apps begin in mid-August, with Windows and Mac updates arriving in mid-September. While the apps are merging, Microsoft noted that data will remain separate between personal Microsoft accounts and work or school Microsoft Entra ID accounts.