Microsoft introduces new Copilot features such as collaboration, Google integration

Microsoft MSFT on Thursday introduced new features in its digital assistant Copilot such as collaboration and deeper integration with other services like Outlook and Google, beefing up its artificial intelligence service to stave off a hit from its competition.

Other AI service providers such as Anthropic and OpenAI are upgrading their models and launching products aimed at capturing a wider share of the booming AI market.

If it gets permission, Copilot can see and use reasoning over a user's tabs on Microsoft's Edge browser, summarize and compare information and take action like booking a hotel.

Previous browsers can also be turned into "storylines" so people can revisit older ideas.

Along with the software features, the company introduced an avatar called "Mico" - a nod to Microsoft Copilot - which can show expressions and change color to make conversations feel natural, the company said.

The upgrades are an attempt to boost the appeal of Microsoft's browser to gain ground on Alphabet's GOOG Google Chrome, while OpenAI also entered the browser market with Atlas.

Groups turns Copilot into a shared space, able to support up to 32 people, allowing users to collaborate on writing and other projects.

The company has also improved Copilot's health-related questions, addressing how to ground responses from credible sources, as concerns over misinformation from AI-generated responses rise.