Have you heard Microsoft drop the name Copilot over the past 6 months? Maybe you even caught some of the social media buzz with Microsoft and OpenAI a few weeks ago. What’s going on and what does it matter to you?
Well, not so much news but you’ve probably noticed that this year everybody is talking about AI. Microsoft has committed to implementing an AI chatbot into all their software. They are calling it Copilot. Â
Ok, I’m dropping that name again.
What is Copilot? And what does it do?
In simple terms, it’s like having a personal assistant that’s always ready to help, answering questions, scheduling events, and changing settings as needed – no matter what hour you are working.
Sounds like a dream, right? Microsoft’s Copilot, is making this dream a reality. Best of all, it’s free.
Let’s paint a picture. You’re swamped with back-to-back meetings, and suddenly, you need some info right now, or have to fiddle with a setting on your device. What do you do?
No need to sweat or burn precious minutes. Just ask Copilot.
Copilot details
You may be familiar with Microsoft’s Cortana, which helps guide you as you search for things or need more information. Cortana is old news though, so it is being replaced by the far more powerful Copilot.
Copilot is being seamlessly woven into Windows 11 and embedded in Microsoft Edge so it can perform a wide range of tasks.
Ever felt like you’re drowning in a maze of menus trying to tweak a setting? With Copilot, just ask, and consider it done.
But here’s a twist – Copilot isn’t part of Windows 11’s DNA. It’s more like a hidden gem tucked within Microsoft Edge, masquerading as a native feature. Initially released as Bing Chat in the Edge browser, it has been completely reworked and rebranded as Copilot to answer all your needs.
Call upon Copilot, and a sidebar slides out, sporting a look exactly like Bing Chat. You get to pick your chat style and dive into any topic under the sun. Need a tropical beach sketch or a five-day business trip plan? Copilot’s on it.
The real kicker? Copilot understands context. Follow-up questions flow naturally, minus the need to rehash details. It’s like chatting with a real person.
And it’s not just about answering questions. Copilot scans and summarizes webpages directly within Microsoft Edge. Just ask for a summary of an open page, and it’s on the job.
Copilot rollout
Now, the heads-up: the Copilot we see in Windows 11’s 2023 preview isn’t the final version Microsoft is cooking up. They’re still fine-tuning and adding more bells and whistles. Sure, it’s still finding its footing, but its potential? Huge.
Plus, remember when I said Microsoft was committed to adding Copilot to all their software? Well Copilot is being integrated across the board, from Windows to M365. Here’s a rough timeline you can expect:
Copilot in Windows is available now via the Windows 11 November update.
Copilot in Microsoft 365 is rolling out to Enterprise customers now, with non-enterprise users at a later date.
Copilot of Sales (previously Dynamics and Viva) is releasing the first quarter of 2024.
Interested in exploring Copilot or other productivity tools? We’re here to help you navigate it all. Just get in touch.