Microsoft 365 Copilot

See also: artificial intelligence applications and Writing assistants

Microsoft 365 Copilot, introduced on March 16, 2023, is a groundbreaking AI assistant designed to transform the way people work by increasing productivity, enhancing creativity, and improving collaboration. Developed by Microsoft, the Copilot aims to eliminate mundane tasks and maximize efficiency by harnessing the power of large language models (LLMs) and integrating with Microsoft 365 applications and data.

Overview

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an AI-driven tool that works alongside users, integrating seamlessly into various Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It also introduces a new feature called Business Chat, which utilizes LLMs and Microsoft 365 data to provide users with the ability to give natural language prompts and generate relevant responses based on information from their calendars, emails, chats, documents, and contacts.

Features

Microsoft 365 Copilot offers several benefits, transforming work in three primary ways:

Unleashing Creativity

Copilot assists users in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel by providing first drafts, creating professional presentations, and generating data visualizations. This feature helps jump-start the creative process and save time on writing, sourcing, and editing.

Unlocking Productivity

The AI assistant helps users focus on essential tasks by automating busywork. In Outlook, Copilot can summarize long email threads and draft suggested replies. In Teams, it can provide real-time summaries of meetings, including key discussion points, action items, and areas of agreement or disagreement. Power Platform integration allows users to automate repetitive tasks, create chatbots, and develop apps quickly.

Upleveling Skills

Microsoft 365 Copilot enables users to access the full range of Microsoft 365 commands using natural language, making it easier to learn new skills and improve existing ones. As Copilot learns more about users' domains and processes, it will be able to perform increasingly sophisticated tasks and queries.

Enterprise-Ready AI

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a unique AI solution, offering security, compliance, and privacy features that organizations can trust. It connects LLMs, including GPT-4, with Microsoft 365 apps and business data in the Microsoft Graph, making it accessible to users through natural language prompts.

Security, Compliance, and Privacy

Microsoft 365 Copilot adheres to Microsoft's comprehensive approach to security, compliance, and privacy. It is integrated with Microsoft 365, inheriting all existing security, compliance, and privacy policies and processes. Features such as two-factor authentication, compliance boundaries, and privacy protections ensure that Copilot is a trusted AI solution.

Data Protection

Copilot does not use tenant data or prompts for LLM training, ensuring that users' data is secure. Microsoft's established permissioning model prevents data leakage across user groups, and individual data is protected using proven security technologies.

Integration with Microsoft 365 Apps

The AI assistant is fully integrated with widely-used Microsoft 365 applications, providing a consistent and intuitive user experience across different programs.

Continuous Learning

Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed to learn new skills and adapt to users' needs. Its ability to command apps, work across platforms, and connect with CRM systems enables it to perform increasingly complex tasks as it learns.

Responsible AI Development

Microsoft is committed to responsible AI development, guided by its AI principles and Responsible AI Standard. A multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and policy experts reviews AI systems for potential harms and develops mitigations. The company is dedicated to transparency, allowing users to review, fact-check, and adjust content based on their subject-matter expertise.