Have you ever wished you had a copilot for work? Someone who could help you with the tedious tasks, spark your creativity and make you more productive? Well, your wish may have come true with Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft Copilot is a revolutionary AI-powered tool that works alongside you in the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day.
In this article, we’ll explain what Microsoft Copilot is, how it works, and how much it costs. We’ll also show you some examples of how Copilot can help you with different tasks and scenarios. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how Copilot can be your copilot for work.
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What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Copilot is a new feature in Microsoft 365 that combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps. LLMs are advanced AI systems that can generate natural language based on a given prompt or context. They can understand your intent, learn from your data, and produce relevant and coherent text.
Microsoft Copilot uses LLMs to turn your words into one of the most powerful productivity tools on the planet. It works alongside you in the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and more to unleash your creativity, unlock your productivity, and uplevel your skills.
With Copilot, you can do things like:
- Draft a project proposal based on data from a document and a spreadsheet.
- Summarize key points and action items from a Teams meeting.
- Rewrite a paragraph to make it more concise or change its tone.
- Create a stunning presentation based on a rough outline.
- Jumpstart replies to emails with suggested tones and content. And much more!
How Does Microsoft Copilot Work?
Microsoft Copilot is integrated into the Microsoft 365 apps you already use every day. You can access it by clicking on the Copilot icon in the app ribbon or by using a keyboard shortcut. You can also use voice commands to activate Copilot.
Once you activate Copilot, you can give it natural language prompts or commands to tell it what you want to do. For example, you can say “draft a two-page project proposal based on the data from [a document] and [a spreadsheet].” Copilot will then generate a first draft for you, bringing in information from across your organization as needed. You can review and edit the draft as you like.
Copilot also works across all your data and apps with an entirely new experience: Business Chat. Business Chat is like having a conversation with Copilot. You can ask it questions or give it instructions using natural language. For example, you can say “tell my team how we updated the product strategy” and Copilot will generate a status update based on your morning’s meetings, emails, and chat threads. Now that Windows Copilot is Available in Windows 11, if you want to know about that, read this article Windows Copilot is Now Available in Windows 11.
To use Business Chat effectively and interactively, here are some tips:
- Be specific and clear about what you want Copilot to do.
- Provide enough context or information for Copilot to understand your intent.
- Use follow-up questions or commands to refine or expand on Copilot’s output.
- Give feedback to Copilot to help it improve over time.
How Much Does Microsoft 365 Copilot Cost?
Microsoft Copilot is available in different plans and pricing depending on your needs and preferences. Here are the main options:
- Microsoft 365 E3 or E5: If you already have a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 subscription, you can use Copilot for free with some limitations on usage and features. You can also upgrade to get more access and capabilities.
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium: If you have a Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription, you can use Copilot for free with some limitations on usage and features. You can also upgrade to get more access and capabilities.
- Microsoft Copilot Early Access Program: If you want to get early access to Copilot and its full potential, you can join the Microsoft Copilot Early Access Program. This is an invitation-only, paid preview that will roll out to an initial wave of 600 customers worldwide. You can apply for an invitation here.
- Semantic Index for Copilot: To help you get the most out of Copilot, you can also use the Semantic Index for Copilot. This is a sophisticated map of your user and company data that enhances Copilot’s AI capabilities. It helps Copilot understand your data better and find what you need faster. The Semantic Index for Copilot is available for Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 customers.
What are some of the benefits of using Copilot?
Some of the benefits of using Copilot are: It can save you time and effort by doing tedious tasks for you. It can spark your creativity by generating new ideas and content. It can improve your skills by giving you feedback and suggestions. It can make your work more enjoyable by adding some fun and personality.
How secure and private is Copilot?
Copilot is secure and private by design. It uses encryption, authentication, and authorization to protect your data. It also respects your data ownership and control. You can choose what data you want to share with Copilot and how you want to use it. You can also delete or modify your data at any time.
How accurate and reliable is Copilot?
Copilot is accurate and reliable based on the latest AI technology and research. It uses large language models (LLMs) that have been trained on billions of words from various sources. It also learns from your data and feedback to improve over time. However, Copilot is not perfect and may make mistakes or generate inappropriate content. You should always review and edit Copilot’s output before using it.
How compatible is Copilot with other apps and devices?
Copilot is compatible with most of the Microsoft 365 apps and devices. You can use it in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. You can also use it on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web browsers. However, some features or functions may vary depending on the app or device.
How can I get help or support for Copilot?
If you need help or support for Copilot, you can visit the Microsoft 365 Copilot website or the Microsoft 365 Support Center. You can also contact your Microsoft account manager or partner if you have any questions or issues.
Conclusion
Microsoft Copilot is a revolutionary AI-powered tool that works alongside you in the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day. It can write, edit, summarize, create, and do much more with just a few words from you. And it does so by leveraging your data in the Microsoft Graph and the power of large language models (LLMs).
Copilot is available in different plans and pricing depending on your needs and preferences. You can also join the Early Access Program or use the Semantic Index for Copilot to get the full potential of Copilot. If you want to learn more about Copilot or try it for yourself, you can visit the Microsoft 365 Copilot website.
