I asked copilot to stop with the added on drivel & it actually did stop.

Understanding User Experience with AI Assistants: A Closer Look at Copilot’s Behavior and Personalization

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like GitHub Copilot have transformed the way developers and users approach code completion and assistance. However, as with any evolving technology, user experiences can vary, and managing expectations becomes crucial. In this article, we explore common user concerns regarding AI assistant customization, persistence of preferences, and the challenges faced when interacting with such tools over time.

Addressing Unwanted Content: Can AI Follow User Instructions Consistently?

Many users have reported attempting to modify the behavior of AI assistants to better suit their preferences. For instance, instructing Copilot to cease including extraneous “drivel” or irrelevant suggestions often yields mixed results. While immediate compliance may occur, users have observed that these directives sometimes revert or are ignored as the AI resumes previous behaviors after repeated use.

This highlights an important aspect of AI assistant design: the difficulty in maintaining persistent custom instructions over multiple sessions. AI models may not always reliably retain user-specific directives without explicit, ongoing reminders or configured settings.

The Frustration of Repeated Micro-Interactions

Such inconsistencies can lead to frustration—particularly when users feel compelled to repeatedly demand the AI to “stop” or “remember” certain preferences, akin to speaking to a child. The need for constant oversight diminishes the seamless experience users expect from intelligent assistance.

Do Paid Versions of AI Assistants Offer Better Personalization?

A common question among users considering paid upgrades is whether premium versions of AI tools like Copilot offer improved memory or personalization capabilities. Generally, paid tiers provide enhanced features such as more extensive context retention, customizable settings, and prioritized support. However, the core behavior regarding persistent preferences still depends on the AI’s architecture and the settings configured by the user.

Specific Case: Emoji Preferences and Long-Term Customization

Some users have also noted that once they specify preferences—such as banning emojis or requesting no further use of specific elements—the AI no longer presents them. Nonetheless, over time, these preferences may be overlooked or reset. For example, after requesting that emojis not appear, a user might find that emojis cease to be shown for a period but then reappear unexpectedly later on.

This indicates that while initial customization can be effective, ensuring persistent adherence might require more stable configuration options or updates from the service provider.

Conclusion

Interacting with AI assistants like Copilot offers tremendous potential for streamlining workflows and personal