Microsoft may reportedly bring artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots to its Xbox platform. The tech giant is said to be developing a tool that can help companies automate support tasks. The reported progress is consistent with the company’s recent progress in integrating AI more deeply into its products. Notably, Microsoft recently launched its first AI-powered computers, the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which come with dedicated Copilot keys for easy access to the tool.

according to a Report The Windows maker is now trying to add artificial intelligence capabilities to its gaming platform, The Verge reports. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the developer, the publication said the artificial intelligence chatbot being tested is capable of handling and responding to support-related queries. The AI ​​model may have been trained based on Xbox support documentation. Not only does it help users with various troubleshooting issues and problems with the hardware or the account itself, it can also handle game refunds.

The chatbot is reportedly called the Xbox Powered Virtual Agent, and it’s currently just a prototype. However, it is said to be open to a wider testing pool, highlighting that it could be rolled out to the public soon. Microsoft confirmed the development in a statement to The Verge.

Zhang Haiyan, general manager of Xbox Game AI, said: “We are testing the Xbox Support Virtual Agent, an internal prototype of an animated character that can query Xbox Support topics through voice or text. This prototype enables players to use natural language more easily and quickly Get information from the existing Xbox support page to get help with support topics.”

While customer support chatbots aren’t really pushing the edge of innovation when it comes to artificial intelligence, the report highlights that this could be the start of Microsoft’s larger plans to integrate the technology more broadly into the Xbox ecosystem. In the future, AI functions can also be added to game content creation, game operations, game art and AI generation of assets. Notably, the company has begun developing AI-powered non-player characters (NPCs).