Imagine a future where your computer listens and responds to your every command, seamlessly boosting your productivity. Sounds like a dream, right? But here’s where it gets controversial: Microsoft’s latest attempt at a voice-controlled Windows, dubbed Copilot, might not be the game-changer we were hoping for. A few months ago, Microsoft teased a feature that promised to let users control their PCs with just their voice. While some were skeptical—myself included—many waited to see it in action before passing judgment. After all, with the rise of advanced language models (LLMs), it seemed like the perfect time for Microsoft to finally crack the code on voice commands.
Fast forward to today, and Copilot has started rolling out to users, with Microsoft even enlisting tech influencers to showcase its capabilities. However, a recent video demonstration has sparked more criticism than praise. In the clip, tech creator Judner Aura from @UrAvgConsumer attempts to use the 'Hey, Copilot' feature to increase text size on his screen—a task that should be straightforward but quickly turns into a lesson in frustration.
And this is the part most people miss: Copilot’s approach feels more like a guided tour than a hands-on assistant. Instead of directly adjusting the setting, it leads Judner through a series of steps, even suggesting a scale level that’s already in place. While this might teach users how to navigate the system, it falls short for those who just want the task done quickly. As one commenter pointed out, if you ask an AI to do something, you expect it to handle it, not give you a tutorial.
The debate here is twofold. On one hand, Copilot’s step-by-step method aligns with the idea of 'teach a man to fish.' On the other hand, power users—who already know their way around Windows—are likely to find this approach unnecessarily slow. Most users were probably expecting Copilot to take charge, modify settings instantly, and save time. Instead, what we’re getting is a sluggish assistant that might not even guide you to the best solution.
Microsoft could improve this by giving users the option to choose between a guided tour and direct action. If Copilot can’t perform tasks autonomously, it risks becoming a tool that power users will ignore altogether. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should AI assistants prioritize teaching users or completing tasks efficiently? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think Copilot’s current approach is a step forward or a missed opportunity?
