I had a flight plan, turned on AI ATC from the beginning.
After takeoff, the copilot then requested touch and go. I was “touch and go ???” so I just tuned the radio off. However, I forgot turn turn off AI ATC, so it got involved again.
Then on approach the co-pilot requests clearance to Charlie airspace. I was ??? again. Then ATC kept asking me to acknowledge. But AI ATC was still on. 
There are a number of in-game ATC issues.
There are also a number of threads in the community help section and bugs section of the forum.
Open your main menu Options under Assistance, set everything to True to Life and everything hard. That should turn off entire AI ATC assistance by default.
So when you turn on/off the ATC assist on the flight assistance toolbar, it should work properly without it being turned on and off on its own. Because all the flight assists settings all rely on the General Assistance options from the main menu.
Ah, I mis-read the OP.
Since I fly True to Life, mine works as you tell it.
Thanks
I was just lamenting, lol. I normally keep ATC AI off, and ATC, but I thought I’d try today.
I think Working Title may be working on the ATC system at some future point, so there is hope it will some day work.
Those are my settings. Usually, if you toggle AI ATC on with a VRF flight plan the AI somewhat follows it. But the co-pilot was going off on random stuff and then choosing to not acknowledge ATC, leaving me holding the bag.
There is VATSIM, Pilot2ATC, and probably more out of game resources.
But, I fly a lot in SoCal, so having ATC chatter makes it a bit more like the real thing.
VATSIM would be my choice if I want to practice that or do deep IFR dives. MSFS ATC might be better on IFR, I just haven’t gone there yet.
VATSIM is whole lot better overall. I fly under both VFR and IFR on the VATSIM network. 12 years on the network, I haven’t used stock ATC in a sim since.
Does vatsim has an auto-respond mode? I mean a way where I can just let a computer talk for me to the VATSIM controller so that I don’t have to.
No, best you can do if you don’t want to talk is use text.
But that requires me to actually be standing by and respond manually even using text. The reason why I stay away from VATSIM and sticking to the default ATC is because it can auto-respond. And I usually fly long flights where I take off, set on autopilot and let the aircraft navigates itself to the destination while I do other things like work, cook, eat, watch some shows, or sleep. And I would take over control again for the descent and landing. So I can’t exactly having to stop whatever it is I’m doing just to respond on the controllers communication.
Ohh well… it is what it is… 
From what I’ve seen it looks like an amazing option for IFR training.
Although, the issues I had here were more AI ATC assistant related. Requesting charlie airspace clearance when I was on final descent, and requesting touch and go moments after taking off. Then the AI was contacting ATC and not acknowledging.
Normally I just keep coms off and tune the radios to ground when I need them. I figured I’d give it a shot last night. Mostly because I was in the TMB and not as familiar with working the radio.
VATSIM is be an amazing option for both VFR and IFR. An overwhelming majority of my flying on the network is under VFR however when when the weather calls for IMC I fly under IFR (just the other day I called up for a TEC route in SoCal, you can’t do this with stock ATC). Both the VFR and IFR experience on VATSIM is vastly superior to that of a stock ATC.
The issue with vatsim is that you need to completely focus on your ATC which is correct of course , but if you are distracted by your spouse, kids etc it’s not ideal
So yes vatsim is great, but one needs to have 100% concentration , great if you are in a room on your own but not if you use msfs as more of a hobby as opposed to a FAA training guide
Not 100% true, you can ask to leave the cockpit for a a few minutes.
Yes of course, to go to the bathroom etc , but the distraction when I’m flying etc especially IFR is just too much for even the most patient vatsim ATC controller ….but I get your point
Are people fairly understanding of newbies? I have downloaded it but never turned it on out of fear that people will be annoyed with my lack of knowledge.
In my experience they’ve been very understanding, and there are loads of resources out there to help newbies get started. It can still be nerve wracking if you’re new to it (speaking from experience here), but it’s such a better experience than AI ATC. An added benefit also, is if you ever want to try and get a real life pilot certificate, you’ve got some background dealing with a real person giving you instructions to do something over the radio. I think that’s really helpful.
Yes, there are even events for those that are new called First Wings.