Microsoft has learned a simple lesson: putting an AI button in every app does not make the app more useful. It removed Copilot entry points from several Windows apps because they brought traffic but little real value, and found that fewer entry points led to more meaningful use per user. In simple terms, Microsoft realised that visibility alone cannot replace usefulness.
The company’s new Copilot now tries to be useful in one place rather than scattered everywhere. It combines Home for everyday work, Code for building simple apps without coding skills, and Autopilot for agents that can continue tasks after being delegated. The idea is to turn Copilot from a set of scattered AI features into a single workspace for getting real work done.
Microsoft’s own experience shows why early excitement can fade. Copilot Tasks felt magical when it ordered food or booked an Uber, but it was “inch deep” for harder jobs such as financial planning or planning a vacation around work. The lesson: convenience may attract users, but only genuine capability keeps them.
For every AI company, the message is clear: do not chase visibility; earn usefulness. An AI product should solve a real problem deeply, respect the user’s time, and know when a human must stay in control. For users, the test is equally simple—use AI where it truly saves effort, not merely where it looks impressive.
AI SHOULD NOT BE EVERYWHERE. IT SHOULD BE USEFUL WHEREVER IT IS.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.