According to The Verge, Microsoft is preparing a major UI refresh for its Edge browser, pulling the design language directly from its Copilot AI. The new look, which includes a Copilot-identical settings section, updated context menus, and a revamped new tab page, is already appearing in early Canary and Dev test builds. Windows Central reports the design will feature rounded corners and use the same colors and fonts as the Copilot app. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman stated last year that the company’s plan is to evolve Edge rather than create a brand new AI browser. This redesign appears to be a key part of that evolution, making Edge feel more inherently AI-focused. The visual overhaul is not confined to a special “Copilot Mode” but is being applied to the browser’s core interface.
Edge gets the Pi treatment
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a new coat of paint. It’s the adoption of an entirely different design system. For years, Microsoft‘s products have been guided by its Fluent Design language. This Copilot look is something else entirely. And it has a very specific origin. This design is almost identical to the Pi AI assistant that Inflection AI was building. After most of Inflection’s team joined Microsoft in 2024, this aesthetic essentially came with them and became Copilot’s new face. So now, that same friendly, conversational, and distinct look is coming to Edge. It’s a clear signal that the Inflection acquisition wasn’t just about talent and tech—it was about a whole product philosophy.
Why this matters beyond the browser
This move is bigger than just a browser update. Think about it. Microsoft is taking a design language born from an AI-first product and baking it into one of its most widely used applications. The implication is huge. If this lands in Edge, why not in Outlook? Or Word? Or even deep into Windows itself? Suleyman’s comment about there not being a new browser, just “one experience,” starts to make more sense. They’re not building an AI browser; they’re turning their existing browser—and potentially their whole ecosystem—into an AI experience. The UI is the gateway. By making Edge *look* like Copilot, they’re psychologically priming users to *use* it like Copilot. It’s a soft, visual nudge towards relying on AI for help.
The risks of a unified AI look
But is this a good idea? Unifying a design language sounds great in a boardroom. In practice, it can get messy. Edge has to be a capable, performant browser first. It needs clear navigation, responsive controls, and settings that power users can find. Squeezing it into an AI assistant’s visual mold could backfire if it feels like style over substance. Will a settings page designed for an AI chat feel intuitive for managing cookies, flags, or security protocols? Probably not without some serious finesse. And let’s be honest, Edge has struggled with its identity for years. Is layering on a strong AI aesthetic the answer, or just another chapter in its identity crisis? The challenge will be balancing this new, friendly Copilot vibe with the complex, utilitarian needs of a modern web browser. They need the redesign to feel helpful, not just different.
