Microsoft Copilot is a new AI product that combines the power of large language models with in-house enterprise data generated by the Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 applications. Using the power of AI and natural language conversations, users can find better answers to their questions and potentially create content from those answers. Copilot was developed on the ChatGPT platform and announced as an in-development platform at the July 2023 Microsoft Inspire conference.
There are two versions of Copilot: Microsoft 365 Copilot and a more general Microsoft Copilot. It is important to note that Microsoft 365 Copilot is different from the consumer and small business-oriented Copilot platform found in Bing Chat or non-enterprise versions of Microsoft 365. These Copilot LLMs are trained on more generalized aggregate data gathered across the internet and therefore tend to have more generalized results. Microsoft 365 Copilot will be dependent on the data generated by a specific, and only a specific, enterprise.
Both Copilot versions will be embedded in the Microsoft 365 apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. This complete Microsoft 365 integration will allow an organization’s workers to be more creative and unlock productivity gains and potentially improve their skills. In addition, Microsoft 365 Copilot will add AI-enabled Business Chat to the productivity suite, which will work across enterprise-specific data like calendars, emails, chats, documents, meetings and contacts to help employees communicate easier and better.
Copilot will be integrated into the fabric of all Microsoft 365 applications. When an employee starts a Word document, reads an email in Outlook, opens an Excel report or updates a PowerPoint presentation, Copilot and its generative AI abilities will be there to assist when called upon.
Copilot in Word
Draft a two-page project proposal based on data gleaned from a Word document (i.e., either the one you are currently working on or one that you specify by name) and an Excel worksheet.
Make the third paragraph in the current document more concise and change the tone of the document to be more casual.
Create a one-page draft based on this rough outline.
Copilot in Excel
Break down this sales data by type and channel and then insert a table.
Project the impact of a variable change in this data and then generate a chart to help visualize it.
Model how a change to the growth rate for a variable would impact my gross margin.
Copilot in PowerPoint
Create a five-slide presentation based on this Word document and include relevant stock photos.
Consolidate this presentation into a three-slide summary.
Reformat these three bullets (in a specific PowerPoint presentation) into three columns, each with a picture.
Copilot in Outlook
Summarize the emails missed while out of the office last week and flag any important items.
Draft a response thanking the senders of an email and asking for more details about their second and third points.
Shorten a draft email and make the tone more professional.
Invite everyone to a lunch-and-learn about new product launches next Thursday at noon. Mention that lunch is provided
How much does Microsoft Copilot cost?
As revealed during the 2023 Inspire conference, Microsoft 365 Copilot will cost $30/user/month. At first glance, this price point seems expensive, but it is vital to remember this version of the platform is designed for large business enterprises. For a large enterprise with thousands of employees, and assuming the platform delivers what Microsoft promises, that $30 could end up being a bargain. That is a big assumption to make at this early point in development.
When will Microsoft Copilot be available?
As of August 2023, Microsoft Copilot is in the testing phase of development. A limited number of organizations and Microsoft Insiders are testing the AI and providing feedback on what works and what does not work.
There is currently no officially announced release date for any version of Microsoft Copilot.
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