Microsoft Discontinues Cortana in Windows to Prioritize Next-Gen AI Development

Microsoft Phases Out Cortana as It Shifts Focus to Advanced AI

This month, Microsoft is officially discontinuing its Cortana digital assistant app, redirecting its efforts toward cutting-edge AI developments, such as its ChatGPT-inspired Bing Chat and enhanced AI-driven productivity tools in Windows and the Edge browser. A support page confirms that Cortana will no longer serve as a standalone app in Windows, starting August 2023.

Microsoft confirmed that the support page was initially published in June but stopped short of detailing its broader vision regarding this change.

From the provided insights, it’s clear that Microsoft views Cortana as a transitional phase leading to a more sophisticated AI future. In this landscape, users will depend on a smarter chatbot powered by GPT-4, thanks to Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI. The company also revealed its intention to integrate this new ChatGPT-driven Bing experience into Windows 11.

In the interim, Windows users will encounter a transitional phase where Cortana remains, albeit in a limited capacity. The standalone Cortana app will no longer receive updates. However, the assistant will still be accessible within Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams display, and Microsoft Teams rooms, according to Microsoft’s announcements.

These Cortana features may soon face similar fates, as Microsoft has already outlined plans to introduce Bing Chat into enterprise environments, incorporating Microsoft 365 Copilot into productivity applications, including Outlook and Teams.

Microsoft stated on its support page, “We know this change may impact your workflow in Windows, and we aim to facilitate a smooth transition to newer options.” Instead of activating Cortana, users will now be able to leverage other tools to meet their productivity needs through voice commands.

The company suggests alternatives such as Windows 11 voice access, which allows users to operate their PCs through voice instructions, as well as the new AI-driven Bing and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Windows Copilot will also provide centralized AI support for users.

The website Windows Latest (not affiliated with Microsoft) was the first to announce the shutdown of the Cortana app, noting that the latest update rendered the app non-functional. When users attempted to open Cortana, they received a notification stating, “Cortana in Windows as a standalone app is deprecated,” along with a “Learn More” button directing them to the support page.

Microsoft's transition from Cortana to Bing Chat may set a precedent for other Big Tech firms. This week, The Information reported that Amazon has appointed Rohit Prasad, its head scientist for Alexa, to lead a team focused on developing artificial general intelligence. This move suggests that Amazon is considering future enhancements for Alexa, aiming to evolve beyond its current capabilities. Additionally, reports indicate that Apple is working on its own generative AI solutions but has yet to finalize plans for consumer rollout.