Microsoft Copilot: A Game Changer for Productivity?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t the new kid on the block, from ChatGPT to crazy AI images on social platforms, humans have been more than willing to experiment with different forms of AI. And finally, Microsoft has decided to release their most recent take: Microsoft Copilot. Copilot, formally Bing Chat Enterprise, has taken the tech industry and other industries by storm. Its smooth integration into Microsoft 365 apps is already assisting many businesses in their everyday practices. Microsoft has truly outdone itself and competitors such as Apple and Google are taking notice.
Wait! Isn’t Copilot the same thing as ChatGPT?
The simple answer is “no”! Copilot is Artificial Intelligence that uses “large language models” (LLMs) to answer complex questions and perform intricate tasks within Microsoft 365, Microsoft Edge, and Bing search engine. The purpose of the tool is to promote productivity and increase creativity to propel businesses to a whole new level of success. Employers have used Copilot to assist with client meetings, company organization, outreach/communications, and even creativity within the workplace. But what makes Microsoft Copilot any different from ChatGPT? “It (Microsoft Copilot) combines the power of LLMs with your data in the Microsoft Graph (including your calendar, emails, Teams chats, documents, meetings, and more) and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet” (Microsoft, Copilot Lab, “ChatGPT vs. Microsoft 365 Copilot: What’s the difference?”, 2023). ChatGPT is only designed to be a chatbot. It pulls all its information from the internet. This could include books, websites, social media, case studies, and articles. It does not have the ability to pull from your business-related data like Copilot.
How Copilot Assists in Different Industries:
I’m sure you’re wondering HOW Copilot assists with differing industries… Imagine this: you just concluded a meeting, and you need to write out an email that covers all the discussed project developments, documents shared, and people that attended. Using the Copilot plugin within your Outlook email, you can have an email drafted and ready to send in a matter of seconds allowing you and others more time to be productive in the workday. A more specific example of Copilot’s uses would be: You are a CPA at an accounting firm and it’s the middle of tax season, you need to figure out a certain tax regulation for a client. With the help of your Copilot plugin, you can find relevant information for your problem and examples based on your specific search without leaving your current Microsoft 365 application. A surprising example would be Copilot assisting employees within the auto industry. With the help of the powerful AI, mechanics can find diagnoses and solutions faster so they can have your vehicle up and running!
One of the key strengths of Copilot lies in its ability to understand natural language and context, allowing it to provide accurate and relevant assistance specific to the user’s needs. Whether it’s legal research at a law firm, creating lessons plans in a classroom, scheduling meetings with clients, or writing code for a program- Copilot is the best partner for any individual.
Another key strength is Copilot’s ability to find documents within your organization and combine them with other files to create cohesive Word drafts and PowerPoint presentations that have the most important information curated. It’s basically designed to do the hard research for you! Copilot isn’t limited to just words either, you can use these tools within Excel spreadsheets to find common trends with the numbers shown in the sheet and ask Copilot to put together a cohesive presentation that highlights the critical trends & KPI’s that stakeholders LOVE to see.
How Safe is it to use Copilot?
We know that mostly everyone understands the benefits of AI, but are a bit apprehensive to use because of security/privacy concerns. To combat this worry, Microsoft states that “Copilot inherits your existing Microsoft 365 security, privacy, identity, and compliance policies.” (Microsoft, Mehdi,Yusef, 2023) Meaning that, your policies and permissions are always protected and respected with the installation and use of Copilot.
In conclusion, Microsoft Copilot represents a significant leap forward in harnessing the power of AI to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and stimulate creativity in the workplace. As more businesses embrace this transformative technology, we can expect to see even greater efficiency, collaboration, and innovation across industries.
AI is an incredible tool, but is definitely in a league all its own in the tech world. At Axigent Technologies, we’re here to help you navigate these different avenues like AI to level up your business! Reach out today for a consultation!