The attempts from tech giant Microsoft (MSFT) to produce useful artificial intelligence (AI) tools have often run afoul of consumer who would rather it not attempt such things. But one new feature is finding surprisingly common ground with its customers: the “Gaming Copilot” feature on Xbox. This did not help investors much, though, as Microsoft shares were down fractionally in Monday afternoon’s trading.
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Basically, the Gaming Copilot feature works as a constantly-updating source of help for gamers. Linking the app to an Xbox console—Series X or Series S, specifically—allows the Copilot system to learn what is happening in the game, and allow players to ask for help when they get stuck.
Users who tried out the function find that it is “genuinely useful,” and offered up “…detailed explanations of mechanics and how to approach specific quests….” However, the release did not come without controversy. One user pointed out, with especially heavy sarcasm, that “…a single simple YouTube video…” could address many of these issues just as well. Another asked, pointedly, “…how many people’s work did it steal without credit or compensation to get that knowledge?”
But Does It Even Work?
Meanwhile, reports taking a look at 2025 also pointed out the Majorana 1, Microsoft’s attempt at a quantum computer. Microsoft counted it as a “significant breakthrough.” But others pointed out, perhaps less charitably, that no one is even sure if the Majorana 1 actually works.
The Majorana 1 was always controversial, since it uses a topological qubit, a specific kind of quantum bit, as its base. A topological qubit is said to be more resistant to error than the alternatives, making it particularly attractive. But Microsoft’s overall performance here, reports note, has been somewhat mixed, leaving Microsoft struggling to demonstrate that the Majorana 1 is as impressive as it claims to be.
Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold or Sell?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on MSFT stock based on 32 Buys and two Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 14.8% rally in its share price over the past year, the average MSFT price target of $631.36 per share implies 30.03% upside potential.
