Microsoft Copilot is a suite of AI tools designed to assist users across various platforms and applications. It leverages the power of OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo and Bing’s Prometheus technology to provide conversational, context-aware responses. This article covers everything you need to know about Microsoft Copilot, from its definition and capabilities to its availability and cost.
What Is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI chatbot that uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo model, enhanced with Bing search capabilities through Prometheus technology, to answer questions in a conversational style. It’s integrated into multiple Microsoft products, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Microsoft 365 apps, and Bing. Depending on the platform, Copilot offers different functionalities, such as changing system settings on Windows 11 or assisting with document creation in Microsoft 365 apps.
Does Microsoft Copilot Use GPT-4?
Yes, Copilot uses GPT-4 Turbo, an advanced version of GPT-4 developed by OpenAI. This model includes improvements like a 128K context window, making it more efficient and cost-effective. GPT-4 Turbo has knowledge up to April 2023, whereas GPT-4’s information is current only up to September 2021.
Does Microsoft Copilot Use ChatGPT?
No, Copilot does not use ChatGPT. While ChatGPT is an application from OpenAI that connects to GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, Copilot uses GPT-4 Turbo specifically configured for Microsoft’s needs. Although Microsoft and OpenAI collaborate closely, their GPT products serve different purposes.
Is Microsoft Copilot Free to Use?
Yes, Microsoft Copilot is free to use, but there is also a paid tier called “Copilot Pro.” The free version provides access to GPT-4 Turbo across supported platforms, along with features like text, image, and voice conversational search, plugins, and daily tokens for generating AI images with Designer.
Copilot Pro
- Cost: $20 per month per user
- Benefits:
- Priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo during peak hours
- Custom Copilot GPTs for different skills
- Access from Microsoft 365 apps
- 100 daily tokens for AI image generation with Designer
Is Microsoft Copilot Included in Microsoft 365?
No, Copilot is not included in Microsoft 365. To access Copilot within Microsoft365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), users need a Personal or Family subscription plus a Copilot Pro subscription. Each family member requires a separate Copilot Pro subscription for access.
History and Availability
Microsoft launched Copilot (initially known as “Bing Chat”) on February 7, 2023. It started as a web and Microsoft Edge browser feature and later integrated into Windows 11 during the second half of 2023. Copilot became available for Windows 10 devices at the end of 2023. The AI assistant is still in preview and gradually rolling out to compatible devices.
Microsoft Copilot on Edge
Copilot for Microsoft Edge offers the same capabilities as the web version, with additional tools like the “Compose” tab, which helps write content in different tones, formats, and lengths. This feature can be used to rewrite selected text using Copilot.
What Does MicrosoftCopilot Do?
MicrosoftCopilot assists users by taking text or audio input and producing answers on various topics. Depending on the platform, it can perform tasks such as creating or modifying content in Microsoft 365 apps, generating AI images, changing system settings on Windows 11, and more.
Key Features
- Conversational AI: Provides context-aware responses in a human-like manner.
- Content Creation: Assists with document creation, data analysis, and presentation generation in Microsoft 365 apps.
- Image Generation: Creates AI images based on text prompts.
- Plugins: Expands capabilities by connecting with other services.
- System Settings: Changes settings on Windows 11 (limited functionality).
Privacy and Data Collection
Copilot collects prompts and responses, saving them as “Chat History” for 90 days from the last update to the conversation. Users can view and delete their chat history from their account. While Microsoft provides security protocols to protect privacy, users should be cautious about sharing sensitive information with AI assistants.
Conclusion
Microsoft Copilot represents a significant step forward in AI-assisted computing, offering versatile and powerful tools across various platforms. Whether for productivity, creativity, or general inquiries, Copilot aims to enhance the user experience by providing intelligent and context-aware assistance. However, it’s essential to stay informed about its capabilities and limitations to make the most of this innovative technology.
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