In a bold move, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Microsoft’s AI assistant, Copilot, labeling it as nothing more than “Clippy 2.0.” If you remember Clippy from the ’90s—Microsoft’s quirky virtual assistant in Word—you’ll understand that this isn’t exactly a compliment.
Benioff didn’t hold back, stating that Microsoft Copilot “just doesn’t work” and fails to provide the level of accuracy and functionality customers expect. He further argued that customers are left to fend for themselves, forced to build custom AI language models (LLMs) to make Copilot useful. In Benioff’s words, Copilot has yet to deliver any “transformational experience.”
The Return of Clippy?
For those who might be unfamiliar, Clippy was an animated paperclip assistant in Microsoft Office products, notorious for popping up uninvited with suggestions. While it had a certain nostalgic charm, it often frustrated users more than it helped. Benioff’s comparison paints Copilot as similarly underwhelming—trying to do too much but delivering too little.
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A Competitive Battle in Enterprise AI
Benioff’s comments, though strong, aren’t surprising given the rivalry between Salesforce and Microsoft. Both companies have poured massive investments into AI, aiming to lead in the AI-powered software market. Salesforce’s CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform competes directly with Microsoft’s Dynamics 365, and their collaboration tool Slack goes head-to-head with Microsoft Teams.
In fact, Slack filed an anti-competition complaint with the European Commission over Microsoft’s bundling of Teams with Office, claiming it gives Microsoft an unfair advantage. And recently, Disney made headlines by switching from Slack to Microsoft Teams, further intensifying this rivalry.
Is AI Moving Too Fast?
Benioff’s criticism also echoes a broader feeling of AI fatigue among businesses. With AI technologies being rapidly rolled out, some feel it’s happening too fast, making it difficult for organizations to adapt and fully leverage these tools.
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He mentioned that customers are being oversold on AI’s potential, only to find that the reality doesn’t quite meet the hype. This resonates with IT managers and workers who are being told to embrace AI, yet often struggle to integrate it into their workflows.
What Is Salesforce Up To?
While Benioff was criticizing Microsoft, Salesforce has been busy enhancing its own offerings. Last month, they integrated Agentforce—formerly known as Einstein Copilot—into Slack. This AI tool helps teams boost productivity by offering real-time CRM insights and task suggestions. Essentially, Agentforce allows users to tap into AI without leaving the Slack platform, streamlining tasks and improving efficiency.
Additionally, Slack rolled out new widgets for iOS users, enhancing their mobile experience and making it easier for teams to stay connected on the go. These updates are designed to help businesses maintain productivity in an increasingly mobile world.
Microsoft Responds With Enhanced Security
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been addressing its own issues with Copilot. After some initial privacy concerns about its “Recall” feature—which stores screenshots of a user’s activity—Microsoft relaunched Copilot’s Recall with enhanced security measures. The update aims to reassure users that their data is being handled safely while still offering the functionality to retrace their steps and find previously viewed items.
What’s Next for AI Assistants?
Benioff’s public criticism of Microsoft’s Copilot underscores the fierce competition in the enterprise AI space. As companies continue to roll out AI tools, customers are left to decide which ones truly deliver on their promises.
One thing is clear: the AI race is just heating up, and both Salesforce and Microsoft are vying for dominance. Whether Copilot improves or continues to be seen as “Clippy 2.0” will depend on how Microsoft addresses its critics and evolves its AI offerings.
For now, it’s a waiting game to see who will come out on top in this ongoing AI arms race. Will Microsoft prove Benioff wrong, or is there some truth to the comparison of Copilot to an overhyped, modern-day Clippy? Only time will tell.
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