Microsoft has announced it will update the user agreement for its Copilot AI tool after social media users highlighted a clause stating it is "for entertainment purposes only." The company said the phrasing is outdated and does not match how the product is marketed and used today.
The clause, which states users should not rely on Copilot for important advice, was discovered in the Copilot-specific Terms of Use. It contrasts sharply with recent public statements by CEO Satya Nadella, who praised the accuracy of Microsoft 365 Copilot during an earnings call.
Legacy Language from Bing Chat Era
A Microsoft spokesperson told PCMag that the "entertainment purposes" wording is "legacy language from when Copilot originally launched as a search companion service in Bing." The spokesperson confirmed the language "will be altered with our next update."
References to "entertainment purposes" in Copilot's terms date back to at least February 2023. In November 2023, Microsoft rebranded Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise as Microsoft Copilot to make the tool "more accessible to everyone."
Contrast with Broader AI Industry Terms
Microsoft's Services Agreement, which users also agree to, does not contain the "entertainment purposes" disclaimer in its sections covering AI. Other major AI companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and Meta, also avoid this specific term, though their agreements include broad liability limitations.
For example, OpenAI's terms state users should not rely on its service's output "as a sole source of truth or factual information, or as a substitute for professional advice." Elon Musk's xAI requires consumer users to indemnify the company against legal claims arising from their use of the platform.
Legal Scrutiny and Historical Precedent
The incident highlights the legal fine print surrounding generative AI, a technology already facing multiple lawsuits. OpenAI is defending against cases in California alleging harm caused by its models, including one related to a user's suicide.
Shriram Krishnamurthi, a computer science professor at Brown University, noted that unusual terms of service are "a feature, not a bug" for Microsoft, referencing a humorous disclaimer in the 1996 Windows NT 4.0 license agreement.
Microsoft has not indicated when the updated Copilot terms will be published. The company continues to position Copilot as a central productivity tool within its ecosystem, moving beyond its origins as a search companion.