What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Ever wished for an assistant who understands your workflow, anticipates your needs and helps you get things done faster and smarter? Well, Microsoft 365 Copilot could be just what you’re looking for.

First introduced in March 2023, Microsoft 365 Copilot has evolved from an exciting concept to a powerful productivity enhancer, revolutionising how we use M365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.

In the words of Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO at Microsoft:

M365 Copilot marks the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with computing, which will fundamentally change the way we work and unlock a new wave of productivity growth.

How does Microsoft 365 Copilot work?

Microsoft 365 Copilot uses large language models (LLMs), which are advanced natural language processing programs powered by generative AI. These models are trained on billions of words and can speak seemingly ‘naturally’ to users when prompted with a question or instruction.

M365 Copilot also uses data stored in Microsoft Graph (e.g., your emails, calendars and documents) to personalise and contextualise results for each user. For example, if you ask it to prepare some meeting notes ahead of time, it will draw on the relevant information from within your organisation and your previous activities to create a clear and coherent draft.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is integrated into M365 in two ways: as an embedded feature in applications and as a standalone experience called Business Chat. The latter is essentially an app through which users can interact directly with Copilot and request it to do things like provide updates and schedule meetings. The app will respond with content to help each task be completed.

It’s worth noting that Microsoft 365 Copilot – like all M365 applications – is designed to be secure. It complies with Microsoft’s commitments to data privacy and protection and does not store or share your data outside of your organisation, adhering to existing business data access permissions.

What does Microsoft 365 Copilot do?

To round off, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key features of the tool itself. It’s important to remember that, while it has already transformed how we work with AI, the tool continues to evolve, with new enhancements and capabilities regularly being introduced.

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Real-time assistance

There is no need to switch between different apps, Copilot is always ‘on’ across your apps, programs and windows. It can be used to write documents, create presentations, design graphics, compose emails and so on, offering contextual suggestions as you work. The user, however, always has the final say on what to keep, tweak or discard.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

Copilot acts as a real-time assistant during team interactions, summarising key points, noting action items and even scheduling follow-up tasks. It can also search for relevant content across organisational data or external sources and summarise the information it finds into a concise, helpful response. This takes the complexity out of teamwork, making it easier to address questions quickly, share ideas and stay organised.

Task automation

By recognising patterns in your work, Copilot can automate repetitive tasks, such as scheduling meetings and organising files. It can also help users complete time-consuming tasks more quickly by, for example, summarising lengthy documents or analysing customer data. Naturally, this frees up more time and enables users to concentrate on more strategic or creative activities.

Personalised learning and skill development

Copilot is intelligent and adapts to the user’s writing style and preferences over time. It learns from your actions and analyses patterns to customise its suggestions accordingly. At the same time, you can use it to improve your own skills by asking for feedback, explanations or rewrites. Acting as a built-in mentor, Copilot helps you improve at what you’re already good at while supporting you in learning new skills along the way.[/textframe]

Conclusion

Microsoft Copilot is undeniably reshaping the future of work, and it’s an exciting time for organisations looking to embrace these advancements to drive their growth and success. If you’d like to experience the power of AI-driven assistance in your own workflow, our Microsoft 365 Copilot Readiness Assessment is the perfect place to start. We’ll determine your organisation’s readiness score and provide actionable insights for a successful Copilot adoption to help you get the most from the tool.

If you are looking for a way to be more productive, then Microsoft 365 Copilot is a great option, watch this video or read this article about M365 Copilot Wave 2 to discover more .

Get in touch with our Microsoft experts using the green ‘get in touch’ button on this page to learn more.