Almost two years on from AI’s inception, it is already used to automate everyday tasks like writing emails, creating document templates or generating placeholder content. Recent updates to AI models have even allowed basic ideation and creative brainstorming, unlocking its potential for senior managers, marketers and more creativity-oriented roles to harness it as well. 

But for all of its utility, doubts remain. A joint Microsoft/LinkedIn study showed that some 52% of respondents are reluctant to admit how widespread their use of AI in the workplace is, especially when they employ it for some of their most important tasks. In spite of this hesitancy, the same poll found that 75% of respondents were already using (or admitting to using) AI in their jobs. 

One such AI tool is Microsoft’s CoPilot. CoPilot functions as a chat companion, capable of holding text-based conversations and assist in everyday tasks by running online searches, generating texts or images based on user prompts, and is capable of integrating with Microsoft’s full range of software products to facilitate greater assistance with whatever tasks you may be working on. 

What Exactly is Microsoft CoPilot?

CoPilot is Microsoft’s answer to the AI tech race, leveraging cutting-edge machine-learning algorithms and full integration with Microsoft software to create a companion for anyone who already uses Microsoft products. 

CoPilot can assist users with the automation of routine tasks such as email writing or form-filling, and can provide contextual suggestions based on previous inputs or conversations had with it. It’s chatty, user-friendly interface means that it can be fed prompts in simple, conversational language without a user having to know how to code or use technical terms to access its full array of features. 

What gives CoPIlot a leading edge however is its integration with existing Microsoft software products such as Microsoft Word. CoPilot is able to help draft documents for users, as well as provide summaries or suggest improvements. It can help a user schedule emails, generate complex formulas in Excel and help with time management and task prioritisation. When connected with Teams it can facilitate deeper collaboration by automating transcription and meeting notes. 

Combined, these features serve not only to significantly reduce time on repetitive and mundane tasks but to empower users to operate more independently, not requiring additional assistance to achieve things like creating complex Excel functions or draft official documents. 

How Microsoft CoPilot’s Versatility Can Empower Your Business

Above and beyond all of this regular functionality, CoPilot’s true potential lies in its ability to be customised according to how your business can get the most out of it. Not only can you avail of various focused version of CoPIlot – For Sales; For Finance; For Service as three examples – but you can also employ literally hundreds of out-of-the-box extensions to allow it to interface and communicate with third-party applications. This allows you to bring the same automation, ease of use and functionality that CoPilot enjoys in Microsoft’s family of software products to outside products such as MailChimp, Adobe, Amazon Web Serivces, SAP, and more. 

More than this, however, CoPilot gives significant leeway to developers to allow customisation options that allow it to interface with other third party software not already included in CoPilot’s existing 1,400+ connector modules. This allows companies to develop their own connectors between CoPilot and their existing software infrastructure, granting their teams all the same benefits of using CoPilot with Microsoft products, with whatever systems they already employ. For highly specialised industries who rely on very specific software systems, this allows users to enjoy full integration with CoPilot while still using the same tools they rely on every day. 

How to Get the Most out of Microsoft CoPilot

With all this firepower at your fingertips, what can you and your business do to ensure you get the most out of your CoPilot? 

First and foremost, and perhaps unsurprisingly, understanding any tool is key to effectively employing it. This is true for an AI, as well. Knowing its strengths, weaknesses, features – like how it integrates with other programs, and the scope of its functionality – can help you decide how best to implement CoPilot for your business. Assessing your business’ needs and where automation and AI integration could be put to best effect helps identify team members who would best benefit from formal training in how to effectively use CoPilot. 

As you begin to implement CoPilot, you can fine-tune your settings and customisation options to ensure it fits precisely with the needs of your business and business processes. Taking steps to assess CoPilot’s impact on productivity and quality of work can further help you fine-tune both the software as you’ve implemented it, and how you utilise it in the office. 

And of course – utilise it, as often and as much as you can. CoPilot learns from your inputs and adapts to how you implement it; this means when it’s fresh out of the box the best thing you and your team can possibly do is put it to work, so that it has a chance to learn your business and understand what is being asked of it on a regular basis. This helps it tailor its responses to your specific needs and increases its effectiveness at responding to demands placed on it by your team.