What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot: Everything You Need To Know

Are you curious about the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it’s changing how we work? As technology evolves, AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives. One of the latest developments in AI is Microsoft Copilot, a revolutionary tool developed by Microsoft that integrates the power of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) Large Language Model (LLM) with Microsoft tools.

In this article, we’ll explore Microsoft Copilot in-depth, from its history to its anticipated business impacts, so you can stay ahead of the curve and understand the full potential of this exciting new technology.

What is Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is a powerful tool transforming how people work with Microsoft tools. It is designed to enhance productivity by integrating the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) Large Language Model (LLM) with Microsoft’s suite of tools. The integration enables Copilot to generate suggestions and code snippets based on the context of the user’s work, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to improve their efficiency and productivity.

Whether working on a complex coding project or drafting an important document, Copilot can help you streamline your workflow and get more done in less time. Microsoft has been including AI-powered features in its office products since 2019. By leveraging the power of GPT, Copilot can generate highly relevant suggestions and code snippets specific to the user’s context.

Microsoft Copilot History

The history of Microsoft Copilot is fascinating, and it’s essential to understand how it evolved. Let’s take a closer look at the critical milestones in its development:

GitHub Copilot (June 2021)

The journey of Copilot began in June 2021 with the launch of GitHub Copilot. It was a collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI, and it quickly became popular among developers looking for a tool to help them write code faster and more efficiently. GitHub Copilot was made available to the public in June 2021, and it quickly gained a lot of attention in the developer community. It was seen as a game-changer that could revolutionize how developers write code.

GitHub Copilot X (March 22, 2023)

Fast forward to March 22, 2023, and Microsoft released GitHub Copilot X, an advanced version of GitHub Copilot. This version has even more capabilities and features, making it an even more powerful tool for developers.

Bing Chat (Feb 2023)

Microsoft’s investment in AI doesn’t just stop with GitHub and Microsoft 365. They also integrated Copilot into Bing Chat in February 2023, allowing users to leverage the power of GPT to help them in their conversations.

Microsoft 365 Copilot (March 16, 2023)

On March 16, 2023, Microsoft released Microsoft 365 Copilot, which integrates GPT into its Office 365 suite of applications. Users can now use Copilot within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications to help them write more efficiently.

Ads in Bing Chat (March 29, 2023)

Finally, on March 29, 2023, Microsoft announced it would integrate ads into Bing Chat that Copilot powers. This is an exciting development because it shows that Microsoft is committed to expanding the use of Copilot beyond just development and into other areas, such as marketing.

How to tell if you have Copilot enabled?

GitHub Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Microsoft Security Copilot are all powerful AI-powered tools that can help you with your coding and productivity. Here’s how to tell if you have any of these Copilot tools enabled:

1. Check if you have GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot is currently available to download and use as an extension in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and GitHub’s code editor, Atom. Here are some ways to check if you have it enabled:

• Check if you have the GitHub Copilot extension installed in your code editor.
• Look for the Copilot icon in the VS Code sidebar or the Atom menu bar.
• When coding, Copilot should offer suggestions and snippets of code that match what you’re working on.

It’s important to note that while GitHub Copilot is available, advanced Copilot X features are still in a phased rollout, meaning only some users can access them.

2. Check if you have Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft 365 Copilot is currently rolling out in phases appearing in web versions of Office 365 Applications. Here’s how to check if you have it enabled:

• Look for the Copilot icon in the toolbar of web versions of Office 365 Applications, such as Word or Excel.
• Copilot should offer suggestions and autocomplete options matching your work when you start typing.

Remember that Microsoft 365 Copilot is still rolling out, so it may not be available to some users later.

3. Check if you have Microsoft Security Copilot

Microsoft Security Copilot is an AI-powered tool that helps security teams detect and respond to threats faster. It is currently in limited preview, meaning it is not available to the public yet. However, Microsoft advises signing up for security updates to learn when it may move into public preview.

Anticipating Business Impacts from Copilot

As Copilot continues to roll out and more businesses use this next-generation AI technology, it’s essential to consider its potential impact on our work. Here are three ways that Copilot could transform work and augment human capabilities:

1. Unleash creativity
2. Unlock productivity
3. Uplevel skills

Along with the potential benefits of Copilot, it’s essential to consider potential risks and challenges. One key area of concern is security and compliance. As Copilot generates code and suggests text, it could introduce vulnerabilities or infringe on intellectual property rights. Businesses must ensure that their Copilot use aligns with security and compliance protocols.

Embrace the Future of AI with Agile IT

AI promises to be even more game changing than cloud computing and big data. However, this will only amplify issues with technical debt and cybersecurity. Now is the time to get your estate in order to assure that your organization is both able to leverage the immense power of AI as well as overcome challenges it presents. Agile IT has over 16 years of experience in digital transformation using Microsoft 365 and Azure. To learn how we can help you prepare for the bold new future of AI, contact us today.