What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot: Everything You Need To Know

Are you curious about the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s changing how we work? As technology evolves, AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives. One of the latest developments in AI is Microsoft Copilot, a revolutionary tool developed by Microsoft that integrates the power of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) Large Language Model (LLM) with Microsoft tools.

So, what is Microsoft Copilot designed to do, and how can it help you streamline your processes? In this article, we’ll explore Microsoft Copilot in-depth, from its history to its anticipated business impacts, so you can stay ahead of the curve and understand the full potential of this exciting new technology.

What Is Microsoft Azure Copilot?

Azure Copilot is an AI assistant that streamlines the design, operation, optimization, and troubleshooting of applications and infrastructure from cloud to edge. It is designed to enhance productivity by integrating the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) Large Language Model (LLM) with Microsoft’s suite of tools. The integration enables Copilot to generate suggestions and code snippets based on the context of the user’s work, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to improve their efficiency and productivity.

Microsoft Copilot History

The history of Microsoft Copilot is fascinating, and it’s essential to understand how it evolved. Let’s take a closer look at the critical milestones in its development:

GitHub Copilot (June 2021)

The journey of Copilot began in June 2021 with the launch of GitHub Copilot. It was a collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI, and it quickly became popular among developers looking for a tool to help them write code faster and more efficiently. GitHub Copilot was made available to the public in June 2021, and it quickly gained a lot of attention in the developer community. It was seen as a game-changer that could revolutionize how developers write code.

GitHub Copilot X (March 22, 2023)

Fast forward to March 22, 2023, and Microsoft released GitHub Copilot X, an advanced version of GitHub Copilot. This version has even more capabilities and features, making it an even more powerful tool for developers.

Bing Chat (Feb 2023)

Microsoft’s investment in AI doesn’t just stop with GitHub and Microsoft 365. They also integrated Copilot into Bing Chat in February 2023, allowing users to leverage the power of GPT to help them in their conversations.

Microsoft 365 Copilot (March 16, 2023)

On March 16, 2023, Microsoft released Microsoft 365 Copilot, which integrates GPT into its Office 365 suite of applications. Users can now use Copilot within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications to help them write more efficiently.

Ads in Bing Chat (March 29, 2023)

Finally, on March 29, 2023, Microsoft announced it would integrate ads into Bing Chat that Copilot powers. This is an exciting development because it shows that Microsoft is committed to expanding the use of Copilot beyond just development and into other areas, such as marketing.

Is Copilot Free?

Microsoft Copilot, designed as an everyday AI companion, revolutionizes how we interact with digital technologies across Microsoft Edge, Windows, and the web. The best part? There’s a free version that allows users to access the latest AI innovations without upfront costs.

While the free version of Microsoft Copilot provides powerful AI capabilities for enhancing productivity and creativity, users may find that certain features, especially within Microsoft 365 applications, require customization or increased processing speed. These advanced functionalities are available with a Copilot Pro subscription, catering to the demands of advanced users and offering deeper integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Although Microsoft Copilot is accessible worldwide, its services are region-specific and support multiple languages to cater to a diverse global user base.

How to tell if you have Copilot enabled?

GitHub Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Microsoft Security Copilot are all powerful AI-powered tools that can help you with your coding and productivity. Here’s how to tell if you have any of these Copilot tools enabled:

1. Check if you have GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is currently available to download and use as an extension in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and GitHub’s code editor, Atom. Here are some ways to check if you have it enabled:

• Check if you have the GitHub Copilot extension installed in your code editor.
• Look for the Copilot icon in the VS Code sidebar or the Atom menu bar.
• When coding, Copilot should offer suggestions and snippets of code that match what you’re working on.

When coding, Copilot should offer suggestions and snippets of code that match what you’re working on.

2. Check if you have Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is now generally available and integrated into the web versions of Office 365 Applications. Here’s how to check if you have it enabled:

• Look for the Copilot icon in the toolbar of web versions of Office 365 Applications, such as Word or Excel.
• Copilot offers suggestions and autocomplete options that match your work context as you type.

3. Check if you have Microsoft Security Copilot

Microsoft Security Copilot is an AI-powered tool that helps security teams detect and respond to threats faster. As of April 1, 2024, it is generally available and includes new capabilities that enhance its functionality. Microsoft encourages those interested to sign up for security updates to stay informed about the latest features and improvements.

4. How to Get Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is designed to seamlessly integrate into your digital ecosystem, offering unique functionalities across different platforms and services. Here’s how to access Microsoft Copilot:

Copilot Website: Explore the Microsoft Copilot website to discover unique plug-ins for services like OpenTable and Kayak, extending its capabilities beyond text and image generation.

Copilot in Windows: Install Microsoft Copilot in Windows to access special functionalities, such as tweaking system settings and summarizing desktop text, with app-launching capabilities on the horizon.

Copilot in Bing and Mobile Apps: Experience fluid toggling between AI-driven assistance and traditional search inquiries with Microsoft Copilot’s integration with Bing. Mobile apps for Android and iOS allow users to select their preferred AI models.

Copilot in Microsoft Edge: Utilize the optimized browser sidebar for easy text interactions and image creation via Microsoft Designer integration.

Copilot in Microsoft 365: Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Copilot with a paid subscription to Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Copilot in Microsoft Power Platform: With Microsoft Power Platform, Copilot integrates AI-driven enhancements into Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents for faster and more efficient app development, workflow automation, and insights generation.

How to Use Microsoft Copilot

Copilot is intuitive, allowing you to naturally incorporate it into your workflow. Here’s how to effectively use Microsoft Copilot across various applications:

• In Word: In Microsoft Word, Copilot serves as your writing assistant, offering content suggestions, enhancing writing style, and generating text based on prompts, thereby elevating your document creation process.
• In Excel: With Microsoft Copilot, Excel work is revolutionized. Transform Excel work with Copilot’s ability to generate intricate formulas, provide data insights, and automate tasks, significantly streamlining spreadsheet management.
• In PowerPoint: Integrate Copilot in PowerPoint to get creative suggestions for design and content. It can help craft compelling narratives, suggest layouts, and ensure presentations are impactful.
• In Outlook: Streamline email management by utilizing Copilot to draft quick replies and organize your inbox, reducing the time spent on email tasks.
• For Image Generation: Boost creativity with Copilot’s integration with Microsoft Designer and Bing Image Creator, enabling the production of high-quality visuals for presentations, marketing materials, and web content.
• For Research: Conduct research and gather information across applications seamlessly with Copilot, simplifying the process, aiding in accurate source citation, and providing insights integrated with your projects.

Anticipating Business Impacts from Copilot

As Copilot continues to roll out and more businesses use this next-generation AI technology, it’s essential to consider its potential impact on our work. Here are three ways that Copilot could transform work and augment human capabilities:

1. Unleash creativity
2. Unlock productivity
3. Uplevel skills

Along with the potential benefits of Copilot, it’s essential to consider potential risks and challenges. One key area of concern is security and compliance. As Copilot generates code and suggests text, it could introduce vulnerabilities or infringe on intellectual property rights. Businesses must ensure that their Copilot use aligns with security and compliance protocols.

What Makes Copilot Different?

Microsoft Copilot stands out from its competitors for several key reasons:

• Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365: Copilot for Microsoft 365 is designed to work harmoniously within the Microsoft ecosystem, providing unparalleled efficiency and convenience.
• Adaptive AI Technology: Copilot’s ability to learn from user interactions enables it to provide personalized suggestions and automation, distinguishing it from static tools.
• Cross-Platform Accessibility: Available on the web, in Windows, and through the Microsoft Edge browser, Copilot offers unmatched flexibility in accessing its features.
• Comprehensive Coverage: From coding and document creation to data analysis and email management, Copilot serves as a versatile AI companion across a broad range of applications.
• User-Centric Design: With an intuitive interface and seamless integration into existing workflows, Copilot enhances productivity without complicating the user experience.

Embrace the Future of AI with Agile IT

AI promises to be even more game changing than cloud computing and big data. However, this will only amplify issues with technical debt and cybersecurity. Now is the time to get your estate in order to ensure that your organization is both able to leverage the immense power of AI as well as overcome the challenges it presents. Agile IT has over 16 years of experience in digital transformation using Microsoft 365 and Azure Migration Tools. To learn how we can help you prepare for the bold new future of AI, contact us today.