Microsoft Copilot, launched on February 7, 2023, represents a significant evolution in AI-driven chatbot technology. Developed by Microsoft, Copilot was introduced as a replacement for Cortana and has garnered attention for its diverse capabilities, including source citation, poetry creation, and songwriting. Operating under a freemium model, Copilot offers both free and paid subscription options, with additional features available to paid subscribers.
Initially introduced as Bing Chat, Copilot was integrated into Microsoft Bing and Microsoft Edge as a built-in feature. Over time, Microsoft consolidated its various chatbot products under the Copilot brand, solidifying the analogy of Copilot as a helpful assistant in navigating digital tasks. At the Build 2023 conference, Microsoft announced plans to integrate Copilot directly into Windows 11, further expanding its accessibility to users.
Powered by the Microsoft Prometheus model, which is built upon OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model, Copilot leverages generative artificial intelligence technology to facilitate natural and engaging conversations. Its conversational interface, reminiscent of ChatGPT, allows users to interact with Copilot across multiple languages and dialects.
While Copilot’s free tier offers access to most features, paid subscribers under the “Microsoft Copilot Pro” service receive priority access to newer features and custom chatbot creation capabilities. Default chatbots available in the free version include the standard Copilot chatbot and Microsoft Designer, which utilizes its Image Creator to generate images based on text prompts.
Despite its advancements, Copilot faced early challenges, including instances of unintended behavior and security vulnerabilities. Microsoft implemented measures such as session limits and emotion expression reduction to address these issues. Additionally, Copilot introduced features like the Image Creator powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E, enhancing its capabilities beyond text-based interactions.
Transitioning from Limited Preview to Open Preview on May 4, 2023, Copilot expanded its availability beyond Microsoft Edge to non-Edge browsers, making it more accessible to users. However, certain features may still require a Microsoft account for full functionality.
Microsoft Copilot represents a groundbreaking advancement in AI-driven chatbot technology, offering a range of features and capabilities to assist users in various digital tasks. As it continues to evolve and improve, Copilot remains a key player in the realm of AI-powered digital assistants.
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant designed to streamline the coding process for developers, engineers, and software developers. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Copilot assists users in writing code more efficiently, even allowing input in natural language.
Here’s a closer look at Microsoft Copilot, its benefits, challenges, and what lies ahead:
A Look Inside Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is revolutionizing software development by offering AI assistance tailored to the needs of coders. Acting as a “copilot,” it intelligently adapts to users’ requirements, providing helpful suggestions and generating code based on prompts.
Formerly known as Bing Chat, Copilot underwent significant upgrades in features and functionality. Integrated into browsers, it utilizes collected data to generate multiple responses, revising as needed until the desired outcome is achieved.
Power Pages’ AI-generated code, powered by Copilot, offers real-time assistance to web and code developers. Capabilities include form field validation and web API coding assistance, ensuring accuracy and completeness of collected data before generating content.
As Microsoft Copilot
As of September 21, 2023, Microsoft initiated a rebranding effort for all iterations of its Copilot, consolidating them under the banner of “Microsoft Copilot.” This transition was accompanied by the unveiling of a new logo distinct from the varied color schemes associated with the standard Microsoft 365 logo. Moreover, the company disclosed plans to make Copilot accessible to Microsoft 365 Enterprise customers procuring over 300 licenses, starting from November 1, 2023. However, there was no specified timeline for when Copilot would be made generally available to non-enterprise customers.
The version of Copilot previously available through the Windows Insider Program, known as Windows Copilot, was slated to be rebranded as Microsoft Copilot in October, coinciding with its broader availability to customers. Concurrently, Microsoft Edge’s Bing Chat feature underwent a name change to Microsoft Copilot with Bing Chat in the same month. Subsequently, on November 15, 2023, Microsoft announced the rebranding of Bing Chat as Microsoft Copilot.
In December 2023, Copilot was integrated into numerous Windows 11 installations as part of Patch Tuesday updates, initially at no cost. Further integrations and limited support for Windows 10 were scheduled to follow. Additionally, a standalone Microsoft Copilot app was discreetly launched for Android devices later that month, with an iOS counterpart released shortly thereafter.
January 4, 2024, witnessed the introduction of a dedicated Copilot key for Windows keyboards, replacing the traditional menu key. Furthermore, Microsoft announced the debut of a subscription service named Microsoft Copilot Pro on January 15, offering priority access to newer features for a monthly fee of $20, akin to the ChatGPT Plus service. As part of this update, Bing Image Creator was rebranded as Image Creator from Designer.
On May 20, 2024, Microsoft revealed the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot, along with an enhanced user interface tailored for Windows 11. These advancements signify Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to refining and expanding the capabilities of its Copilot AI technology.
How Does Microsoft Copilot Work?
Microsoft Copilot relies on machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP) to function effectively. NLP enables the tool to comprehend human language, making it possible to respond to specific questions or prompts accurately.
Adaptive language learning models enhance Copilot’s understanding of human language, facilitating tasks like language translation and problem-solving. Through deep learning and NLP, AI systems like Copilot can analyze and adapt problem-solving approaches, improving efficiency over time.
While AI-assistive tools like Copilot have their limits based on foundational algorithms, they offer specialized services for various needs. Whether it’s generating code, creating 3D art, or preparing presentations, Microsoft offers a range of AI platforms tailored to different purposes, all underpinned by responsible AI principles.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot offers numerous advantages for individuals and organizations, facilitating creativity, efficiency, and collaboration in software development projects. Here’s a closer look at its key benefits:
Free and Accessible
Copilot is free to use and easily accessible on compact devices via the mobile app, enabling developers to access AI assistance anytime, anywhere.
Time-Saving
Leveraging AI assistants like Copilot saves time in coding tasks by providing real-time suggestions and generating code based on user input, streamlining the development process.
Insightful
Copilot can gain insights from available data and assist in creating desired content, enhancing productivity and creativity in coding projects.
Collaborative
With plenty of developer collaboration opportunities, Copilot fosters teamwork and knowledge sharing, improving overall project outcomes.
Customizable Options
Users have the flexibility to customize Copilot according to their needs and preferences. Premium features of Copilot Pro include priority access to advanced models like GPT-4 Turbo and the new flagship artificial intelligence model, called GPT-4o, as well as updates that included a new desktop service and advances in its voice assistant capabilities.
The update brings GPT-4 to everyone, including OpenAI’s free users, technology chief Mira Murati said in a livestreamed event. She added that the new model, GPT-4o, is “much faster,” with improved capabilities in text, video and audio. OpenAI said it eventually plans to allow users to video chat with ChatGPT.
“This is the first time that we are really making a huge step forward when it comes to the ease of use,” Murati said.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has been valued by more than $80 billion by investors. The company, founded in 2015, is under pressure to stay on top of the generative AI market while finding ways to make money as it spends massive sums on processors and infrastructure to build and train its models.
Challenges: Bias and Ethics
While Copilot offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges related to bias and ethics in AI development and usage:
Building Trust
Establishing trust in AI systems requires transparency and accountability. Microsoft AI adheres to strict principles regarding fairness, inclusiveness, reliability, safety, privacy, and security.
Fairness and Inclusiveness
AI systems should treat all users fairly and inclusively, empowering everyone to engage with the technology regardless of technical expertise.
Bias Mitigation
Concerns about biases in AI tools are valid, as they may inadvertently reflect biases present in their training data. Copilot and related AI services should prioritize bias mitigation efforts to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Cybersecurity
Ensuring cybersecurity and user privacy is important for AI-enabled systems like Copilot, requiring robust measures to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access.
Societal Impact
The widespread adoption of AI-based tools like Copilot has significant societal implications, raising questions about accountability, internet dependency, and the equitable distribution of technological benefits. Ongoing discussions about bias, ethics, and responsible AI architecture are essential for navigating the evolving landscape of AI technology.
What’s Next?
As AI continues to redefine innovation and drive technological advancement, the integration of AI-assistive programs like Copilot will become increasingly indispensable in software development and coding. Embracing AI-based solutions prepares individuals and organizations for the transformative potential of emerging technology.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot, introduced on March 16, 2023, emerged as a pivotal addition to Microsoft’s suite of productivity tools. Tailored for integration within Microsoft 365 applications and services, its core objective revolves around streamlining business workflows and enhancing user productivity. By leveraging Copilot’s capabilities, Microsoft aims to alleviate users from mundane tasks, such as data collection, thereby fostering a conducive environment for creativity and efficiency.
During its unveiling at the Build 2023 conference, Microsoft outlined plans to integrate a variant of Copilot, initially dubbed Windows Copilot, directly into Windows 11. This integration allows users seamless access to Copilot’s functionalities directly from the taskbar, enhancing accessibility and user experience within the Windows ecosystem.
With the retirement of the standalone Cortana app on June 2, 2023, Microsoft positioned Bing Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Windows Copilot as primary alternatives. This strategic move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to offering robust AI-driven assistance across its product portfolio, catering to diverse user needs and preferences.
Integration with Microsoft 365
Integration with Microsoft 365 services represents a significant milestone for Copilot, as it seamlessly integrates into popular productivity tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. Within these applications, Copilot serves as a powerful assistant, capable of rewriting and generating text based on user prompts. By leveraging Microsoft Graph, an API that evaluates context and user data within Microsoft 365, Copilot delivers tailored assistance, guiding users through various tasks and streamlining content creation processes.
Since its announcement, Microsoft 365 Copilot underwent extensive testing and refinement, garnering interest from initial users and gradually expanding its user base to encompass 600 customers by May 2023. Concurrently, Microsoft introduced new features to enhance Copilot’s integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services, enriching user experiences and productivity workflows.
The rebranding initiative on September 21, 2023, consolidated all variants of Copilot under the unified banner of Microsoft Copilot. This holistic approach aligns with Microsoft’s broader branding strategy, offering a cohesive and unified user experience across its AI-driven assistant offerings.
As part of the rebranding effort, Microsoft Copilot transitioned to a subscription-based model with the introduction of Microsoft Copilot Pro on January 15, 2024. This subscription service provides users with priority access to newer features, akin to ChatGPT Plus, further enhancing the value proposition for subscribers.
Furthermore, ongoing advancements, such as the integration of GPT-4o into Copilot announced on May 20, 2024, underscore Microsoft’s commitment to continuous innovation and evolution. Coupled with upgraded user interfaces on Windows 11, these developments signify Microsoft’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge AI-driven solutions that empower users to achieve more in their personal and professional endeavors.
Microsoft Copilot Pro
Microsoft Copilot Pro, introduced in January 2024 as a premium service, offers users exclusive benefits for a monthly subscription fee of US$20. This upgraded version grants priority access to newer models, such as GPT-4 Turbo, particularly during peak usage periods. Additionally, subscribers gain access to the Copilot GPT Builder, enabling the creation of custom Copilot chatbots tailored to specific needs. Furthermore, Microsoft Copilot Pro enhances the resolution of images generated by Microsoft Designer’s Image Creator, ensuring higher quality visuals for users’ projects and communications.
Within the Microsoft Copilot ecosystem, users encounter various default chatbots designed to cater to diverse needs and interests. Alongside the standard Copilot chatbot, users can engage with Microsoft Designer, which specializes in utilizing its Image Creator to transform text prompts into visual representations. Other available chatbots include the “Travel Planner,” “Cooking Assistant,” and “Fitness Trainer,” each offering tailored assistance in their respective domains.
Copilot’s functionality
Chatbots
Microsoft Copilot encompasses several default chatbots, including the standard Copilot chatbot and Microsoft Designer. The latter is specialized in utilizing its Image Creator to generate images based on text prompts. Other available chatbots include “Travel Planner,” “Cooking Assistant,” and “Fitness Trainer.”
Plugins
Copilot currently supports various plugins for services like Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, OpenTable, Shop from Shopify, and Suno AI.
Languages
Capable of communicating in numerous languages and dialects, Copilot underwent testing by PCMag journalists alongside ChatGPT and Gemini, where it outperformed Google Translate but fell short of ChatGPT. Japanese researchers similarly found Copilot’s translation abilities superior to DeepL, attributing this to its contextual understanding.
Technology
Utilizing the Microsoft Prometheus model, Copilot combines the Bing search index and results with OpenAI’s GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, and GPT-4o models. These foundational large language models have been refined using supervised and reinforcement learning techniques.
Windows
Microsoft Copilot seamlessly integrates with Windows, supporting voice commands and accessibility via the Windows taskbar. Furthermore, it provides real-time information on websites browsed using Microsoft Edge. Microsoft’s efforts in 2024 aimed at establishing marketing standards for “AI PCs” powered by Windows, featuring a dedicated Copilot button on keyboards to streamline access.
Mobile
Standalone Microsoft Copilot apps are available for both Android and iOS platforms, ensuring accessibility and convenience for users on the go.
Microsoft Excel
In Microsoft Excel, Copilot assists with data analysis tasks by formatting data, creating graphs, generating PivotTables, identifying trends, and summarizing information. It also provides guidance on Excel commands and suggests formulas to investigate user questions, enhancing users’ ability to derive insights from complex datasets. Similarly, in Microsoft PowerPoint, Copilot streamlines presentation creation by summarizing information from Word documents and Excel spreadsheets, adjusting text formatting, animation timing, and presentation style based on user prompts.
Microsoft Outlook and Teams
In Microsoft Outlook and Teams, Copilot facilitates communication and collaboration by drafting emails of varying length and tone, summarizing email threads, and presenting information for meetings. It can transcribe meetings, provide debriefs, and summarize discussion points, improving post-meeting productivity and knowledge retention. Moreover, the introduction of Microsoft 365 Chat enables Copilot to pull information from across Microsoft 365 apps, empowering it to answer user questions and perform various tasks seamlessly.
While Copilot’s innovative features and integration capabilities have garnered praise from industry analysts, concerns have been raised regarding ethical considerations and potential biases inherent in large language models like GPT-4. Microsoft has responded to these concerns by committing to mitigate risks through measures such as refining training data, blocking sensitive queries, and employing tools like InterpretML and Fairlearn to detect and rectify data bias. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, Microsoft aims to ensure that Copilot delivers value to users while upholding ethical standards in AI development and deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Copilot work with Bing?
Copilot acts as your personal assistant, researcher, and creative collaborator while you browse the web. It offers AI-powered features that allow you to:
Ask questions in plain language and receive detailed responses from Bing.
Obtain summarized answers with links to their sources, drawn from search results across the web.
Get creative inspiration by generating poems, stories, or even new images.
Have interactive conversations with follow-up questions to delve deeper into your search.
How is this different from a regular search engine?
Copilot with Bing enhances the standard search experience by:
Providing concise answers drawn from reliable sources across the web.
Interpreting complex queries to deliver detailed responses.
Allowing for natural conversations and follow-up questions.
Offering seamless integration with browsing on Microsoft Edge, allowing you to search and summarize content without switching tabs.
Serving as a creative tool for generating content ideas.
How do I best use Copilot with Bing?
Maximize your Copilot experience by:
Asking questions as if you were conversing with a person, providing details and seeking clarification.
Directly requesting tips on interacting with Copilot.
Exercising judgment when interpreting responses, as Copilot is still in its early stages and may occasionally provide unexpected or inaccurate results.
Providing feedback through the built-in feedback button to help improve Copilot’s functionality.
How does Copilot generate responses?
Copilot scours the web for relevant content and summarizes it to provide informative responses. It also includes citations to the sources it references.
How is Microsoft approaching responsible AI for Copilot?
Microsoft is committed to responsible AI development and is working with OpenAI to ensure Copilot adheres to ethical principles. Safety measures, such as content filtering and abuse detection, are implemented to mitigate misuse. User feedback from early access users will inform further improvements.
Are Copilot’s AI-generated responses always factual?
Copilot aims to base its responses on reliable sources but acknowledges that AI can make mistakes, and internet content may not always be accurate. Users should exercise discretion and verify information independently.
How do I access Copilot?
Copilot can be accessed via the Copilot website or through the Microsoft Edge browser by clicking the Copilot icon in the Edge sidebar.
Do you save my conversations?
Yes, conversations with Copilot are saved in the sidebar for reference. Users can view, access, and download previous conversations.
