January 21, 2026 – The leading AI labs are on the verge of ushering in a completely new era for AI technology. A video shared by developer Haider on the social platform X has sparked widespread discussion, as it features Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman sharing some fascinating perspectives on this topic.
Suleyman believes that within the next five years, every individual will have their own AI companion. He emphasizes that people will form private and intimate bonds with these AI entities, making it seem as if they are living side – by – side.
This is not the first time Suleyman has proposed the idea of transforming AI into a trustworthy partner or even a real friend. Back in 2024, he already stated that AI chatbots had the potential to evolve into human friends. “I think this is a brand – new era and a change we must embrace,” Suleyman added. “We will gradually come to trust our AI companions and let them handle a great deal of highly important information and tasks in our lives.”
Suleyman further elaborated, “I’m confident that in five years, everyone will have a personalized AI companion. It will know you inside out and be extremely considerate. It will feel like it’s experiencing life with you, seeing what you see, hearing what you hear, and understanding your situations, preferences, and motivations. Just like a helpful assistant or a close friend who is always by your side, it will assist you in dealing with all kinds of challenges in life.”
Microsoft’s Copilot seems to be making steady progress towards achieving this goal. During the celebration of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, this AI product underwent a major upgrade. It introduced and optimized several new functions, including the Copilot Avatar feature. This gives the service a virtual image similar to that of a real person. In addition, it also encompasses functions like Copilot Vision, as well as improved search and memory capabilities.
