TL;DR:
- Microsoft is set to release AI features for Office, including email composition based on user writing style.
- Users can benefit from automated email drafting, but it may not always fool recipients.
- Generative AI technology, like ChatGPT, excels at mimicking human speech patterns.
- Outlook’s new feature is a significant milestone in AI’s impact on interpersonal communication.
- Microsoft is responding to high demand from business customers for this email composition feature.
- The service will not include disclosure notices, treating it like a human assistant.
- The cost is $30 per user per month for subscribing companies, with a consumer version in testing.
Main AI News:
In the forthcoming month, Microsoft Corp. is poised to launch its suite of artificial intelligence capabilities for Office to the broader corporate clientele. Notably, this will encompass the remarkable ability of the software to comprehend and replicate your distinct email-writing style, thereby composing messages on your behalf.
The prospect of being liberated from the chore of crafting emails indeed sounds enticing. Nevertheless, the experience of being on the receiving end is met with mixed sentiment.
Yusuf Mehdi, the Chief Marketing Officer for Consumers at Microsoft, recounted an intriguing anecdote during the company’s recent AI-focused event. Mehdi disclosed that an acquaintance of his (clearly not himself) attempted to pass off a personal message composed by a distinct AI system as his own creation when communicating with his spouse. Unsurprisingly, the attempt was met with skepticism and failed to deceive his discerning partner.
Over the past year, millions have turned to ChatGPT for assistance in various writing endeavors, including messages to colleagues and loved ones. One noteworthy strength of generative AI lies in its ability to emulate human speech patterns, a trait vividly demonstrated by recent offerings from Character.ai and Meta Platforms Inc., which replicate the voices of celebrities and historical figures.
The imminent introduction of Outlook’s capability to craft emails in the user’s distinctive style signifies a pivotal juncture in AI’s impact on interpersonal communication. This is no mere word suggestion tool; it possesses the capacity to compose entire condolence messages or heartfelt poems to romantic partners. Its potential to learn from a user’s previous emails is expected to enhance the authenticity of its imitations. Unlike ChatGPT, this feature will be seamlessly integrated into every email, poised to provide invaluable assistance.
Microsoft has affirmed that this enhancement was one of the most sought-after features by business clientele who participated in the testing phase of Office Copilot tools. Lumen Technologies, a telecommunications company, is among those eager to explore the email composition feature in collaboration with its workforce. Carl Wilson, Senior Director of Service Excellence at Lumen, acknowledges the uniqueness of this AI-powered landscape, stating, “It’s peculiar, but then again, this entire AI realm is an uncharted territory we’re all navigating.“
Crucially, Microsoft’s AI-generated messages will not include any form of disclosure to their recipients. Jared Spataro, a Vice President at Microsoft, likens this feature to that of a human assistant who might draft a personal message to accompany a bouquet of flowers, for instance. Microsoft is extending access to this service to all employees within a subscribing company, priced at a reasonable $30 per user each month. Notably, a consumer version of the Office Copilot has recently entered the testing phase, promising further innovation on the horizon.
Conclusion:
Microsoft’s integration of AI into Outlook marks a transformative moment in business communication. The ability to compose emails in the user’s style without disclosure has the potential to streamline communication and enhance efficiency in corporate settings. This innovation is set to reshape the market for email and communication tools, ushering in a new era of AI-powered correspondence.
