Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has detailed his personal daily interactions with the company’s Copilot AI assistant, framing the tool not as a passive feature but as an integrated collaborator for professional and personal tasks. His routine highlights a strategic push to weave artificial intelligence into the fabric of everyday computer use, moving beyond traditional input methods and fostering a more conversational relationship between users and their software.
In a social media video posted on October 24, Nadella shared three specific Copilot features that have become “daily habits” for him. These functionalities—voice commands, a personalized AI character, and multi-user sessions—illustrate Microsoft’s broader vision for AI agents as on-demand partners. This approach is a cornerstone of the company’s strategy since its significant partnership with OpenAI, which has infused foundation models into core products like Microsoft 365 and GitHub Copilot, now reaching over 100 million users.
Conversational Computing as a Daily Habit
One of the most significant changes to Nadella’s workflow is the use of voice commands to interact with the AI assistant. He explained that he now regularly uses the “Hey Copilot” function whether he is working within a document or composing an email. He described this capability as the most exciting new method of engaging with a computer since the introduction of touch technology.
Nadella equated the experience to getting “a new mouse and it just happens to be a voice,” underscoring the shift toward more natural, conversational interfaces. This allows for a more fluid and immediate way to retrieve information and execute commands without breaking focus. “I can just invoke Copilot and ask it questions,” Nadella stated, emphasizing the convenience of having an intelligent assistant ready to help at any moment.
Making AI More Relational
A Face for the Assistant
To make interactions feel more personal and less transactional, Microsoft introduced Mico, a new character for Copilot. Nadella highlighted this feature as his second daily habit, describing Mico as a “Socratic tutor” that not only provides information but also teaches the user in the process. This aligns with a wider industry trend of making AI systems more relatable and engaging.
Nadella shared a personal story of using the feature with his daughter to illustrate its educational potential. “The cool thing about it is it taught us both what we wanted,” he explained, noting that it was more than just an information retrieval tool. By giving the AI a “face,” Microsoft aims to foster a stronger connection between the human user and the AI, encouraging more dynamic and interactive learning experiences.
Collaborative AI for Groups
The third key feature Nadella mentioned is Groups, a multi-user mode that transforms the AI assistant into a shared collaborative space. This function allows multiple users to join a single session with Copilot, enabling them to work together with the AI. “Now my friends and family can join a session and we can all jam together with AI,” Nadella said.
He pointed to the utility of this feature for a range of activities, including learning new subjects, coordinating projects, and generally “staying in sync.” This move positions Copilot not just as a personal assistant but as a central hub for group productivity and interaction, capable of facilitating complex discussions and planning among several people at once.
Executing a Long-Term Vision
These daily habits are manifestations of a much larger, long-term strategy that Nadella outlined in his 2025 annual letter to shareholders. He affirmed that Microsoft is “thinking in decades, executing in quarters,” balancing ambitious AI development with the delivery of immediate, practical tools. He characterized the current generation of AI as a force that is “radically changing every layer of the tech stack.”
To power this transformation, the company has built a massive global infrastructure. Under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft now operates over 400 data centers in 70 regions worldwide, including what he termed “the world’s most powerful AI data centre.” This extensive network is critical for developing and deploying sophisticated AI models at a global scale.
A Mindset for the AI Era
Nadella stressed that technology alone is not enough to navigate the current shift. He emphasized that a specific mindset is crucial for success, both for Microsoft as a company and for its users. “Our growth mindset is essential to our ability to continue leading this AI era,” he stated.
He called for a culture of continuous learning and experimentation, urging employees and users alike to be “learn-it-alls.” This philosophy encourages a willingness to adapt, experiment with new tools, and be guided by ongoing evaluation and improvement. It is this combination of powerful infrastructure and an adaptable culture that Nadella believes will cement Microsoft’s leadership role as AI continues to evolve.