Bringing AI to all with Microsoft 365 Copilot

The urge to connect to the core of our work lives in all of us. But we spend too much time consumed by the drudgery of work on tasks that zap our time, creativity and energy. To reconnect to the heart of our work, we don’t just need a better way of doing the same things. We need a whole new way to work.

“This is where Microsoft 365 Copilot comes to the fore. This next-generation AI combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet,” says iSSC Group CEO, Emil Henrico.

“This is the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with computing, which will fundamentally change the way we work and unlock a new wave of productivity growth,” says Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “With our new copilot for work, we’re giving people more agency and making technology more accessible through the most universal interface — natural language.”

Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 in two ways. It works alongside users, embedded in the Microsoft 365 apps they use every day — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and more — to unleash creativity, unlock productivity and uplevel skills. Microsoft has also added Business Chat, which works across the LLM, the Microsoft 365 apps, and the user’s data, such as calendars, emails, chats, documents, meetings, and contacts.

Henrico says that users can give Microsoft 365 Copilot natural language prompts like “Tell my team how we updated the product strategy”, and it will then generate a status update based on the morning’s meetings, emails, and chat threads.

“It’s important to note that, as the author, the user is in complete control. This means that the unique ideas remain within the basic format of the project, with the user prompting Copilot to shorten, rewrite or give feedback,” Henrico points out.

As an example, Copilot in PowerPoint helps users create beautiful presentations with a simple prompt, adding relevant content from a document made last week or last year. With Copilot in Excel, users can analyse trends and create professional-looking data visualisations in seconds. Copilot in Teams can summarise key discussion points — including who said what and where people are aligned, and where they disagree — and suggest action items, all in real time during a meeting. And with Copilot in Power Platform, anyone can automate repetitive tasks, create chatbots and go from idea to working app in minutes.

Copilot will fundamentally change how people work with AI and how AI works with people. As with any new pattern of work, there’s a learning curve — but those who embrace this new way of working will quickly gain an edge.

Ask the iSSC Group how to leverage Copilot.