Microsoft Revives Clippy Spirit With New AI Assistant Mico

Microsoft has unveiled Mico, a conversational AI guide embedded within its Copilot ecosystem, aiming to help users navigate the increasingly complex world of generative AI tools. Unlike Clippy, the animated paperclip from the early 2000s, Mico doesn’t pop up uninvited or offer unsolicited advice. Instead, it appears contextually when users seem stuck or hesitant while using Copilot features across Microsoft 365 apps. Mico’s role is to explain what Copilot can do, suggest next steps, and clarify how to phrase prompts for better results. It’s designed to be friendly, unobtrusive, and informative—more like a smart guide than a persistent helper. Microsoft says Mico will first appear in Word and PowerPoint, with plans to expand to other apps and platforms. The assistant is part of a broader push to make AI more accessible and less intimidating for everyday users, especially those unfamiliar with prompt engineering or generative workflows. Mico uses natural language understanding to detect user hesitation and offers tailored suggestions without taking over the interface. While it doesn’t have a visual avatar like Clippy, its conversational tone and contextual awareness aim to recreate the helpfulness that Clippy once promised—without the annoyance. Microsoft is positioning Mico as a bridge between users and Copilot’s full capabilities, helping people unlock productivity gains without needing to master AI tools from scratch.