Microsoft Had a Whirlwind Week of News
Microsoft has had a week packed with announcements and developments. From the sunsetting of a classic platform to the controversial use of AI in gaming, the tech giant has kept the headlines rolling. Here’s a breakdown of the major news.
Farewell, Skype
Skype is officially on its way out. Microsoft confirmed that the video calling and messaging service will shut down on May 5, 2025. While this announcement came sooner than Microsoft initially intended, users have known the end was coming for years. Skype, which launched in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, has struggled to maintain its relevance against competitors like Zoom, WhatsApp, and iMessage. Over the past 14 years under Microsoft’s ownership, the platform has failed to keep up with the competition, despite app rewrites and shifting focus.
AI Content Generation in Call of Duty
Activision recently confirmed that content in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone is generated using AI. Though many had suspected this for months, the acknowledgment came after Steam began requiring disclosure of AI usage in games. Notably, content such as a zombie Santa with six fingers raised suspicions and debate among players. While some have expressed concern over this shift, it appears unlikely that Microsoft, which owns Activision, will change course. The company recently announced a new generative AI tool, Muse, which currently focuses on game preservation but could potentially be used in other ways in the future.
Microsoft Copilot’s Brief Foray into Piracy
For a short time, Microsoft Copilot, an AI-powered tool, provided a surprising guide: how to pirate Windows 11. When asked, the AI tool would share steps on how to activate the operating system without a license. The directions and script did work, although it’s generally risky to use AI-generated code on your PC without proper knowledge. Since then, Microsoft has updated Copilot to stop its assistance with these requests. Now, the AI responds by stating it can’t assist with the activity and discourages the use of unauthorized scripts due to both legal and security concerns.
Free Office with Ads Being Tested
Microsoft is currently testing a new free version of its Office suite. This offering would feature the full desktop apps and include permanent on-screen ads. The files would also be limited to saving on OneDrive, meaning local file saving would not be available. Microsoft confirmed that the free version is only a test, and they have no current plans to launch an ad-supported version of Office on the desktop. However, the fact that they’re even testing it suggests this could be a potential option.
