Generative artificial intelligence, once considered a futuristic concept, has quickly become a reality in various industries. Businesses are now eager to understand how AI can enhance productivity and efficiency. Microsoft Copilot is leading the way in implementing AI in the business environment for organizations using Microsoft software.
Large enterprises are particularly interested in leveraging AI to make better use of the vast amounts of data they generate daily. Many believe that this can only be achieved through a competent AI platform. Microsoft Copilot, with its integration into various Microsoft applications, is said to unlock the creative and productive potential of an organization’s people and data.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI product that combines powerful language models with enterprise data generated by Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 applications. It uses AI and natural language conversations to provide better answers and potentially create content. Copilot for Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based version, while Microsoft Copilot is a more general version. It’s important to note that Copilot for Microsoft 365 is different from the consumer-oriented Copilot platform found in Bing Chat or non-enterprise versions of Microsoft 365.
Both versions of Copilot are integrated into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. This integration allows employees to be more creative, improve productivity, and enhance their skills. Copilot for Microsoft 365 also includes AI-enabled Microsoft 365 Chat, which enhances communication and collaboration across enterprise-specific data.
Copilot runs on OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model and DALL-E 3 image generation model. It offers various commands in different Microsoft applications to assist users in tasks like drafting documents or summarizing emails.
While Microsoft Copilot offers many benefits, it’s important to consider potential problems and caveats. The quality of suggestions generated by Copilot relies on the quality of the data it is trained on. Biases and incomplete or corrupt data can lead to inaccurate suggestions. Organizations implementing Copilot for Microsoft 365 need to carefully monitor the data it can access to avoid potential issues.
There are alternative AI platforms and competitors entering the market, but Microsoft Copilot stands out due to its integration with various Microsoft applications. The pricing of Microsoft Copilot varies, with Copilot for Microsoft 365 priced at $30 per user per month for large enterprises. The availability and pricing of Copilot are subject to change as the platform continues to develop.
Large enterprises willing to invest in data generation and training may find value in implementing the Copilot for Microsoft 365 platform. Individuals and small businesses can benefit from the free or low-cost consumer-level versions of Microsoft Copilot.
As of December 2023, Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Copilot are generally available. Windows 11 PCs released from late February through Spring 2024 will include a Copilot key for easy access to Copilot in Windows.
