Microsoft Copilot is an artificial intelligence (AI) tool seamlessly integrated into Windows, Bing, 365, Azure, and Server, aimed at unleashing the creative and productive potential of an organization’s workforce and data.
Understanding Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot represents an AI innovation that combines extensive language models with proprietary enterprise data sourced from the Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 applications. By harnessing the power of AI and natural language interactions, users can access more refined responses to their inquiries and even generate content based on these insights. Initially introduced within the ChatGPT platform, Copilot was introduced as a work-in-progress during the July 2023 Microsoft Inspire conference.
Microsoft Copilot comes in three variations:
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 (previously known as Microsoft 365 Copilot), which requires a subscription,
- Copilot Pro, another subscription option providing prioritized access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during peak demands,
- and a general free version of Microsoft Copilot.
It is important to note that Copilot for Microsoft 365 differs from the consumer and small business-focused Copilot platform available in Bing Chat or non-enterprise versions of Microsoft 365. The Copilot models used in these consumer versions are trained on more generic data sourced from the internet, resulting in broader outcomes. Copilot for Microsoft 365 relies on data specific to a particular enterprise only.
Both iterations of Copilot are seamlessly integrated into Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. This deep integration within Microsoft 365 empowers organizational staff to enhance creativity, unlock productivity gains, and potentially improve their skill sets. Moreover, Microsoft 365 Copilot introduces AI-driven Microsoft 365 Chat (previously known as Business Chat) into the productivity suite, facilitating smoother communication leveraging enterprise-specific data such as calendars, emails, chats, documents, meetings, and contacts.
By December 5, Copilot was powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model and the DALL-E 3 image generation model. On March 12, Microsoft’s Advertising and Web Services CEO, Mikhail Parakhin, announced that the complimentary tier of Copilot now utilizes GPT-4 Turbo as default (with Copilot Pro users having the option to switch back to GPT-4).
As of March 21, Copilot for Microsoft 365 can be accessed in Windows through the "Work" toggle (in contrast to the "Web" toggle for the public Copilot utilizing generally available data). Microsoft also released two new Surface for Business devices optimized for Copilot usage, namely the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, both launched on April 9. These devices, alongside the new Surface Pro Keyboard, feature a dedicated Copilot key.
Exploring Microsoft Copilot Versions
By November 15, 2023, Microsoft consolidated three editions of Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft Copilot in Windows, Bing Chat Enterprise, and Microsoft 365 Copilot) into two versions, Microsoft Copilot and Copilot for Microsoft 365. In January 2024, Microsoft introduced an additional variant, Copilot Pro.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot brings together the functionalities previously available in Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise, catering to individual users or small to medium-sized business (SMB) users. Microsoft Copilot maintains a consistent visual identity across Bing, Edge, Microsoft 365, and Windows, accessible through a unified icon across these platforms. This Copilot version enables the utilization of generative AI for task completion within the Windows OS and various Windows applications. Users can access Copilot from the taskbar or by using the Windows Key + C keyboard shortcut.
Any engagement with Microsoft Copilot entails commercial data protection when users log in using their Microsoft Entra ID.
The following licenses grant commercial data protection access with Microsoft Copilot:
- Microsoft 365 E3, E5
- Microsoft 365 F3 (upcoming)
- Microsoft 365 A3, A5 (exclusively for Faculty)
- Business Standard
- Business Premium
Copilot for Microsoft 365
Copilot for Microsoft 365 builds upon the foundation of Bing Chat Enterprise, offering enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance to ensure all data processing remains within Microsoft 365. Tailored for enterprise clients, the Copilot for Microsoft 365 experience incorporates Microsoft 365 Chat, which scans through your entire data landscape (emails, meetings, chats, documents, and more, including the internet) to assist in addressing work-related issues. Bundled with Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is priced at $30 per user per month.
Copilot for Microsoft 365 is seamlessly integrated into Microsoft 365 Apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more.
In January 2024, Microsoft waived the minimum seat requirement (300 seats) for Copilot for Microsoft 365, offering it at $30 per user per month for organizations with one to 299 seats, expanding the commercial plan’s accessibility to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Copilot Pro
Copilot Pro is a subscription service targeted at individual users, priced at $20 per user per month. Tailored for power users, it introduces Image Creator from Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator). Accessible via Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on PC, Mac, and iPad for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, Copilot Pro consolidates data from various applications to enable the AI assistant to process more contextually relevant information. Additionally, Copilot Pro will grant access to Microsoft’s upcoming Copilot GPT Builder. Copilot Pro is priced at $20 per user per month.
Availability of Microsoft Copilot
As of December 2023, Copilot for Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, and Copilot Pro are readily accessible.
Microsoft Copilot Pricing
- Microsoft Copilot in Windows is provided at no additional cost to customers.
- Copilot Pro is priced at $20 per user per month.
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 is priced at $30 per user per month.
Initially, the cost of Microsoft 365 Copilot may seem…
It may seem pricey initially, but it’s crucial to remember that this platform version is tailored for large enterprises. For a major corporation with thousands of employees, and assuming the platform lives up to Microsoft’s promises, that $30 could turn out to be a bargain. However, it’s a big assumption to make at this early stage of development. Consumer and small to medium business versions of Microsoft Copilot are likely to be offered at different price points compared to the enterprise counterpart. Bing Chat, which is also built on ChatGPT, is already…Microsoft Edge ofrece una versión gratuita de Copilot como parte de su funcionalidad. Es probable que exista una edición con características limitadas para pequeñas y medianas empresas que no disponen de datos internos significativos para el entrenamiento de la plataforma de IA.
Los precios de las distintas versiones de Microsoft Copilot podrían cambiar a medida que la plataforma se desarrolle. Dada la competencia en el ámbito de las plataformas de IA, es muy probable que los costos de estos servicios varíen considerablemente.
Copilot en Windows 11
En enero, Microsoft anunció que las nuevas PC con Windows 11 (incluyendo la línea Surface) lanzadas entre finales de febrero y la primavera de 2024 contarán con una tecla de acceso directo a Copilot. Esta tecla facilita el uso de Copilot en Windows.
Windows 11 proporciona diversas funcionalidades para Copilot, como:
- Mostrar información del sistema, dispositivo y batería.
- Iniciar narraciones o acceder a la página de Voice Access.
- Mostrar redes Wi-Fi disponibles.
- Conectar con aplicaciones de terceros como OpenTable para reservas de almuerzos de negocios.
¿Cuáles son los beneficios empresariales de utilizar Microsoft Copilot?
Si Microsoft Copilot funciona según lo anunciado, un empleado podría comenzar un proyecto (como un correo electrónico, presentación, informe o visualización de datos) con un primer borrador generado por IA. Esto permitiría al empleado refinar rápidamente un segundo y luego un tercer borrador, eliminando al menos un paso del proceso. Esta eficiencia podría aumentar la productividad del empleado y favorecer el desarrollo de nuevas habilidades.
En el caso de Copilot en Microsoft 365, la clave para mejorar la productividad radica en aplicar datos específicos de la empresa al nuevo proyecto desde el principio. Utilizar datos internos de la empresa generados a partir de correos electrónicos, documentos, calendarios, contactos, etc., aseguraría que el proyecto comience con activos limitados pero relevantes.
Por ejemplo, si un empleado de Ford está creando una presentación que requiere imágenes relacionadas con productos de la marca, la IA capacitada correctamente debería seleccionar productos de Ford en lugar de opciones similares de la competencia. Utilizar datos recopilados de Internet podría llevar a conclusiones distintas y perjudicar el propósito de implementar una IA generativa específica para la empresa.
¿Cómo planea Microsoft integrar Copilot en sus aplicaciones?
Copilot se encuentra integrado en todas las aplicaciones de Microsoft 365. Cuando un empleado abre un documento en Word, revisa un correo en Outlook, edita un informe en Excel o actualiza una presentación en PowerPoint, puede acceder a Copilot y sus capacidades de IA generativa.
A partir de enero de 2024, Microsoft incorporó funcionalidades de Copilot en la app móvil de Microsoft 365 y lanzó una aplicación móvil independiente para Copilot. En febrero de 2024, se rediseñaron la página de inicio y la app de Copilot.
A continuación se presentan ejemplos de comandos que un usuario podría dar a Microsoft Copilot.
Copilot en Word
- Crear un proyecto de dos páginas basado en datos de un documento de Word y una hoja de cálculo de Excel.
- Modificar el tercer párrafo para hacerlo más conciso y cambiar el tono del documento a informal.
- Generar un borrador basado en un esquema preliminar.
Copilot en Excel
- Desglosar datos de ventas por tipo y canal e insertar una tabla.
- Calcular el impacto de un cambio variable en los datos y crear un gráfico ilustrativo.
- Modelar el impacto de un cambio en la tasa de crecimiento en el margen bruto.
Copilot en PowerPoint
- Crear una presentación de cinco diapositivas basada en un documento de Word e incluir imágenes relevantes.
- Consolidar la presentación en un resumen de tres diapositivas.
- Reorganizar puntos en tres columnas con imágenes en una presentación específica de PowerPoint.
Copilot en Outlook
- Resumir correos electrónicos recibidos durante la ausencia del usuario y destacar elementos importantes.
- Redactar respuestas profesionales a correos electrónicos y solicitar detalles adicionales a los remitentes.
- Editar un correo electrónico mejorando su tono profesional.
- Invitar a un almuerzo y presentación de nuevos productos mencionando que se proporcionará almuerzo.
Copilot en el chat de Microsoft 365
- Resumir chats, correos electrónicos y documentos sobre un tema específico.
- Identificar el próximo hito de un proyecto, los riesgos identificados y posibles mitigaciones.
- Crear una descripción de planificación basada en un documento existente y la lista de proyectos de otro usuario.
Copilot GPTs
- Utilizar indicaciones de lenguaje natural para construir asistentes de IA personalizados.
Diseñador para Copilot:
- Crear y editar imágenes basadas en indicaciones.
- Próximamente, acceder a Designer GPT, un asistente para la creación de ideas con el Diseñador para Copilot.
Copilot para Finanzas, Ventas y Servicio
Microsoft anunció Copilot para Finanzas, Ventas y Servicio. Copilot para Finanzas puede crear resúmenes de conciliación, acceder a registros y redactar correos electrónicos. Copilot para Ventas y Servicio también brinda diversas funcionalidades para análisis de datos y gestión de clientes.
Copilot para Seguridad
Copilot para Seguridad es un panel de seguridad y chatbot de IA integrado con productos de ciberseguridad de Microsoft. Estará pronto disponible en general.April 1 for a consumption-based fee.
What potential challenges and considerations does Microsoft Copilot present?
Every AI platform heavily depends on its training data; if Microsoft Copilot is constructed on incomplete, biased, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed data, the suggestions it provides, regardless of the user, will also be incomplete, biased, inaccurate, or flawed. The saying "garbage in, garbage out" is still applicable.
Training is essential for Copilot for Microsoft 365 since all the data it uses will be sourced and collected internally. Enterprises aiming to deploy AI effectively must carefully monitor the data accessible to Copilot. For example, a company might decide to exclude certain documents like brainstorming notes from the data stream; any discarded ideas could compromise the data integrity and spread throughout the organization.
For the standard editions of Microsoft Copilot, organizations and users should acknowledge that inherent biases, passing trends, misguided influences, and other temporary factors can influence some of the AI-generated outcomes. Not all short-lived online trends should be incorporated into official organizational records.
An additional hurdle, especially for Copilot for Microsoft 365 implementations, is certain departments' tendency to segregate their data behind firewalls. Newly developed products and services under non-disclosure agreements might be isolated from the standard organizational data flow. Companies will need to evaluate whether concealing such data from AI is more beneficial than granting AI access.
What other options are available besides Microsoft Copilot?
Generative AI is arguably one of the most significant technological trends for 2023 and early 2024, leading to the emergence of multiple new and upcoming AI platforms competing with Microsoft Copilot.
Despite being based on ChatGPT, Copilot faces competition from AI chatbots like Bing Chat, which are available as standalone platforms. Generative AI is already integrated into Microsoft Edge through Bing Chat, and a generative AI feature has been recently introduced for the Google search engine and Chrome. It seems that generative AI will be incorporated into almost every digital application used on computing devices.
Major tech companies such as Salesforce, Oracle, and Adobe are actively working on AI platforms. Additionally, numerous smaller independent developers are developing their own versions of AI platforms. Moreover, specialized AI competitors are designing platforms that fuse LLMs and generative AI principles into specific applications. Businesses may encounter a variety of AI platform choices.
Which businesses should consider implementing Microsoft Copilot, and which should refrain?
With a cost of $30 per user per month, business leaders must assess whether Copilot for Microsoft 365 fits their company’s size, needs, and financial resources. Besides the subscription fee, companies will need to factor in additional costs related to generating, collecting, and organizing accurate data for AI and LLM training purposes. This process represents a significant commitment, and integrating the Copilot platform requires a substantial investment.
Large corporations will need to balance the productivity benefits of using the Copilot for Microsoft 365 platform against the initial expenses of platform development, maintenance, and ongoing payments.
Individuals and small businesses without LLM-prepared data can access the consumer versions of Microsoft Copilot for free. Bing Chat is already available in Microsoft Edge for all users.