Microsoft Unifies Copilot AI Features in Consolidation Push
Microsoft is consolidating its Copilot AI features into a unified service aimed at making artificial intelligence more accessible for both personal and work-related tasks. The company will merge its consumer Copilot app with the business-focused Microsoft 365 Copilot solution, creating a single platform for users to interact with AI.
The move comes as part of Microsoft's strategy to eliminate overlap between products and focus on tools with practical applications. By August 18, 2026, several features will be discontinued, including Group Chats, AI-powered podcast creation, experimental Copilot Labs tools, and the Deep Research feature.
For paid professional users, Deep Research will be replaced by a tool called Researcher, which is designed for more complex tasks involving research, analysis, and information preparation. Files stored in the previous standalone Copilot app will be moved to OneDrive during the transition.