Microsoft is expected to end the Copilot AI assistant service it provided on LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics smart TVs within this year. The move suggests a change in direction about 2 years after a strategy to expand TVs as a major platform for home AI services.

On Oct. 28, The Verge reported that Microsoft has decided to stop supporting the Copilot feature on all smart TVs this year. The news was first disclosed through a service-termination notice displayed on LG smart TVs.

The notice said Microsoft has decided to end Copilot support on all TVs, and that features provided on LG TVs may no longer be available or could stop working soon. An exact end date was not disclosed.

LG and Samsung announced plans to introduce Copilot at CES 2025, the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition, in January last year. Samsung later officially installed Copilot on some TVs and smart monitors in August that year.

Copilot for TVs served as an AI assistant that searched for information through voice conversations, answered questions about content being watched, and recommended movies and TV programmes.

Some users also pushed back during the rollout. In December last year, LG drew controversy after adding a Copilot shortcut that could not be removed through a webOS update.

At the time, users complained that the AI function was added without prior consent. LG said the feature was not a separate built-in app but a shortcut that launched the Copilot website in a web browser, and said it would provide a removal function.

The end of support also coincides with a shift in Microsoft's AI business strategy. Microsoft recently introduced a Copilot app integrating chat, AI agents and coding functions, putting more emphasis on supporting corporate work and productivity.

The outlet analysed that as Microsoft develops Copilot into a work-focused AI tool rather than a personal digital companion, the strategic importance of the TV service has declined.

Microsoft, LG and Samsung did not issue a separate official press release. The schedule for ending support by TV model and plans for replacement services were also not confirmed.