Microsoft consolidates Copilot apps and cuts underperforming AI features

The company is merging its consumer and business Copilot experiences while retiring AI-generated podcasts, Group Chats, Deep Research, and the Mico character.

Key points

Microsoft is merging its separate consumer and business Copilot apps into a single experience.
Discontinued features include AI-generated podcasts, Group Chats, Deep Research, and the Mico character.
Copilot Chat remains the centerpiece of Microsoft 365 Copilot, with tiered capabilities based on licensing.

7 sources 5 web 78% confidence

Source highlights

TechCrunchPrimaryMicrosoft kills off unsuccessful AI features while merging its separate Copilot apps—80%

microsoft.comWeb contextMicrosoft 365 Copilot for Business: Enterprise AI Solutions | Microsoft 365 Copilot—40%

support.microsoft.comWeb contextHow Copilot Chat works in Microsoft 365 apps | Microsoft Support—32%

microsoft.comWeb contextAI Chat for Getting Work Done | Microsoft 365 Copilot—40%

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Story brief

The company is merging its consumer and business Copilot experiences while retiring AI-generated podcasts, Group Chats, Deep Research, and the Mico character.

Who should care

DevelopersAudit any integrations or prototypes that depend on Copilot Group Chats, Deep Research, or the Mico character API surfaces, and plan migration paths before sunset.

Discontinued features may break existing workflows or custom solutions that relied on them.

FoundersReassess product roadmaps that compete directly with the discontinued Copilot features—AI-generated podcasts and character-driven chat—as Microsoft's exit may signal weak market demand or open a niche.

Microsoft's feature cuts provide a data point on which consumer AI use cases fail to retain users.

PMsReview internal Copilot rollouts and user training materials to remove references to discontinued features and prepare communications about the unified app experience.

The app consolidation and feature removals will require updated documentation and change management.

What changed

2026-08-13TechCrunch reports Microsoft is merging consumer and business Copilot apps and discontinuing AI-generated podcasts, Group Chats, Deep Research, and the Mico character.