Microsoft is enhancing Copilot by introducing animated faces for user interactions. The experimental “Portraits” feature is available in the US, UK, and Canada as of September 30, 2025.
New feature details
The “Portraits” feature in Copilot Labs offers 40 stylized human avatars. These avatars respond with natural expressions during real-time voice conversations. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman announced this feature on X, stating it was developed to help users feel more comfortable communicating with a face.
This initiative aims to make verbal conversations with Copilot more natural than text-based interactions. The feature allows users to select a portrait and pair it with a voice, enhancing the user experience. Microsoft previously introduced a similar feature called “Copilot Appearances” in July, which differed by using animated cartoon blobs instead of human-like avatars.
Technology behind the feature
The “Portraits” feature utilizes VASA-1, an advanced AI technology developed by Microsoft Research. This technology enables real-time visual AI conversations by generating natural facial expressions, head movements, and lip-sync from a single image. This process eliminates the need for complex 3D modeling.
Each portrait is intentionally stylized and not photorealistic. Microsoft emphasizes that users will still receive the trusted intelligence and safety features of Copilot. However, the availability of this feature is limited to users aged 18 or older, with daily and session-based time limits in place. Additionally, there are clear indicators that users are interacting with AI technology.
