Copilot is Microsoft’s contribution to the generative AI marketplace, and the product continues to evolve and expand as the tech titan aspires to remain a significant player in the space. Approximately a dozen Copilot-branded products drive numerous software and service applications, such as Outlook summaries and Teams transcriptions.
Microsoft is also responsible for the version of Copilot that serves as a general-purpose assistant on Windows and the web. This article will describe the many Microsoft Copilots available, as well as their applications and cost structure.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is the rebranded name for Bing Chat, which is built into the Bing search engine, Windows 10, Windows 11, and Microsoft Edge. There are also stand-alone apps that bring Copilot to Android and iOS. The application is driven by OpenAI models and can perform various tasks, such as creating essays, translating text into other languages, and consolidating information from around the web. Copilot – like OpenAI’s ChatGPT – can search the web for the latest relevant information, although it does still provide erroneous information on occasion.
Copilot also integrates with other available tools, such as Suno to create original songs. It supports plug-ins for popular third-party apps and websites such as Instacart, Shopify, Kayak, and OpenTable, with many more slated to be added.
Copilot also powers Copilot Pages, a digital canvas that allows users to edit and share Copilot-generated content. Those who pay for the BizChat hub will have access to web data to help develop project plans, meeting notes, and proposals.
Copilot Pro – Priority Access
Copilot Pro is Microsoft’s premium version of the product. For $20 per month, Copilot Pro priority access customers can access the most reliable OpenAI models during peak times and premium features such as Image Creator.
Copilot Pro also provides the ability to utilize generative AI functions across the Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
Word and OneNote: writes, edits, summarizes, and generates text
Excel and PowerPoint: converts natural language prompts into visualizations
Outlook: helps draft email responses
What is Microsoft 365 Copilot?
Microsoft 365 Copilot provides generative AI add-ons to Microsoft 365 business apps, but it is a distinct product offering from consumer Copilot.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is available to users with a Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, or Business Premium license. It delivers many of the same abilities as Copilot Pro but with enterprise-grade data protection and a back-end system, allowing it to generate more personalized responses. For instance, the recently launched Microsoft 365 Chat sources information from across the Microsoft 365 apps to answer questions.
These are far from the only available versions of Copilot. Other notable versions include:
- Copilot in Power Pages: Creates text, forms, chatbots, and web page layouts. Also generates and edits images and site design themes.
- Copilot for Service: Answers customer queries via chat or email and delivers a chat experience that draws from a knowledge base and case history.
- Copilot for Azure: Suggests configurations for Azure-hosted apps and environments and identifies potential issues and solutions.
- Copilot for Sales: Composes email responses, performs sales-related tasks through Teams and Outlook
- Copilot for Security: Summarizes and deciphers cyberthreat intelligence.
- Team Copilot: Helps manage Teams meeting agendas, extends to Loop and Planner to create and assign tasks, track deadlines, and notify team members of required input.
Alliance IT Can Help Your Company
If your organization currently utilizes Microsoft 365 and you are interested in learning more about adding AI capabilities, call the experts at Alliance IT. We specialize in helping Sarasota area SMBs to optimize their operations so that they can compete and thrive in a contemporary and evolving marketplace.
Don’t get left behind in the AI revolution – call Alliance IT to set up a consultation.
