What is Microsoft Copilot?
"Copilot" is an umbrella term for the services/tools which are powered by Microsoft's chatbot developed using their Large Language Models (LLMs).
The term covers free (or included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions) tools such as the former BingChat Enterprise, Microsoft AI Image Generator, and Copilot in Windows - which can be accessed (by those who have Windows 11) next to Search in the bottom toolbar on Windows.
The term also covers Copilot for Microsoft 365, which is now available to small and large organisations (through purchasing licences) and is the most full-featured option for businesses. This service combines the LLM with the data in an organisation's Microsoft Graph (such as emails, chats and documents) to enable powerful productivity features for staff.
Here's a short piece written by Copilot, about the benefits of Copilot:
Benefits for Small Businesses
1. Increased Productivity
Copilot helps employees complete tasks faster and more efficiently. By automating routine processes, your team can focus on strategic initiatives, driving productivity gains.
2. Quality Improvement
Copilot provides real-time suggestions and corrections, ensuring high-quality work. Whether it’s refining emails or creating polished presentations, Copilot elevates your output.
3. Cost-Effective Solution
With Copilot available as an add-on to your existing Microsoft 365 subscription, small businesses can access powerful AI assistance without breaking the bank. For under £25 per user per month, you unlock a wealth of productivity features.
Microsoft Copilot isn’t just an assistant; it’s a productivity ally for small businesses. Embrace its capabilities, streamline your workflows, and watch your business thrive in the digital age.
How does Copilot safeguard my data?
Many users interested in adopting Copilot are concerned about data security, and whether their organisation's data could be shared or used to further train the model.
Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 prioritizes data privacy and security, especially for small businesses. Here’s how it ensures the protection of your proprietary organizational data:
Compliance Commitments: Copilot complies with existing privacy, security, and compliance standards for Microsoft 365 commercial customers. This includes adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the European Union (EU) Data Boundary.
Data Usage: Copilot connects large language models (LLMs) to your organizational data, but it doesn’t use prompts, responses, or data accessed through Microsoft Graph to train foundation LLMs. Your proprietary information remains confidential.
Microsoft Graph Integration: Copilot accesses content and context through Microsoft Graph, which includes emails, chats, and documents that you have permission to access. This integration ensures seamless collaboration while maintaining data security.
Inherited Security Measures: Copilot inherits security, compliance, and privacy policies from Microsoft services like Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. These robust measures include multi-factor authentication, compliance boundaries, and privacy protections.
Responsible AI Practices: Microsoft handles Copilot data according to its commitments to responsible AI practices. Access to systems housing your data follows certified processes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
In summary, Microsoft Copilot combines productivity with data protection, making it a trustworthy AI solution for small businesses.
Our thoughts?
We can see enormous potential for AI tools like Copilot to transform our expectations of staff productivity, and give a competitive advantage to companies and individuals who learn how best to harness them.
The field is still in its early stages, but already there are gains to be made.
If you are interested in this topic, we'd love to welcome you to our upcoming breakfast event with guests from Microsoft and Ingram Micro, speaking about Copilot: https://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/events/breakfast-networking-microsoft-copilot-your-everyday-ai-companion
