Back at the “Fall update in October”, Microsoft announced that a new talk mode called “Real Talk” was coming to Copilot. This has been available in the US for a while in preview but is now available in the UK.
This (currently) optional chat mode allows Copilot to better adapt to the user’s tone by adding more personality, wit, and even “playful” challenges in its responses. This new mode “real talk” offers a more balanced and engaging conversational style that is designed to be more honest like a true “friend” whilst still staying polite. One of the critiques of many chat bots is that they “tell you what you want to hear”. Real Talk, aims to address this by providing a more balanced, open and honest conversation but still without being rude!
Jacob Andreou, Microsoft’s CVP of product and growth for AI, talks about this mode as being able to understand and “mirror” the user’s attitude, offer its own perspective, and not simply agree with everything said by the human. “Real talk aims to create a more interactive, human-like dialogue that goes beyond providing straightforward information. It will provoke users to think by occasionally questioning or offering alternative views, making conversations with Copilot more stimulating“.
How to use Copilot Real-Talk mode
This new mode is accessible through a dropdown menu and is currently limited to text chats (so not yet available in Copilot’s voice chat interface).
It’s available in the Windows Copilot App, Web (at https://copilot.microsoft.com) and mobile.
Copilot Real-Talk in Action
In this example, I gave Copilot a simple statement where I said, “Many people still think the earth is flat – what do you think about that?“. I run this in Copilot’s default chat mode and then again in “Real Talk” mode.
I’ve also created a video on this where I go into more detail.
Copilot Standard Chat Response
The response tone and length was quite typical – a balanced view, not wanting to say the wrong thing and looking at both angles whilst still stating facts.
"It’s a fascinating example of how belief can diverge from evidence.
From a scientific standpoint, the Earth being spherical isn’t up for debate. It’s supported by centuries of observations and measurements, including satellite imagery, GPS systems, gravity measurements, time zones, airline routes, and even how shadows behave at different latitudes. These aren’t abstract theories; they’re practical realities that modern life depends on every day.
What is interesting is why flat‑Earth beliefs persist. They tend to be less about geography and more about psychology and trust:
- Distrust of institutions – Some people see flat‑Earth ideas as a way to reject governments, scientists, or perceived elites.
- Community and identity – Belonging to a group that “knows the truth” can be powerful.
- Misunderstanding of science – Scientific methods can feel opaque or intimidating, making alternative explanations seem appealing.
- Algorithmic reinforcement – Online platforms can amplify fringe ideas by repeatedly showing similar content.
I don’t see flat‑Earth belief as a failure of intelligence. It’s more a failure of critical thinking skills being nurtured and a breakdown in trust between experts and the public. When people feel excluded from knowledge, they’re more likely to reject it entirely.
The real challenge isn’t correcting the shape of the Earth; it’s rebuilding curiosity, scientific literacy, and trust in evidence-based reasoning. That’s a much harder problem—and a far more important one."
Copilot Real-Talk Mode Response
This was much more concise and to the point. What do you think and what do you prefer?
It's wild that in 2025, with satellite photos and physics we use daily (like GPS literally requiring round-earth calculations), some folks still reject basic science. The psychology behind it fascinates me though—it's less about evidence and more about wanting to feel special, distrust of institutions, or finding community in shared beliefs.