Microsoft to spin off popular chatbot Xiaoice into independent entity

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Microsoft logo (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft is spinning Xiaoice into an independent company.
  • Xiaoice is a chatbot designed to be more human-like and conversational.
  • Microsoft will retain an investment interest in the company.

Microsoft is spinning off the popular chatbot Xiaoice into an independent company (via TechCruch). While Xiaoice will be an independent entity, Microsoft will retain an investment interest after Xiaoice is completely spun off. Xiaoice is a chatbot that provides conversational interaction.

Xiaoice has more than 230 skills and in 2018, Microsoft shared that the bot has more than 500 million users. Xiaoice translates to "Little Bing" and became popular as people interacted with it as a "virtual girlfriend." The bot aims to be social and human-like.

Microsoft explains in a post from 2018 that it wants people to view Xiaoice as a friend.

According to Microsoft, Xiaoice is being spun off with an aim to "accelerate the pace of local innovation in Xiaoice product lines and to improve the Xiaoice business environment" (translated by Microsoft Translator).

Following the spin-off, Xiaoice will license technologies from Microsoft for future research and development.

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.