Microsoft 365 Copilot early access now available
More news about Microsoft's exciting new AI software.
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Microsoft launched Microsoft 365 Copilot, a virtual assistant built on OpenAI’s GPT-4, as part of its efforts to improve workplace productivity using AI. You may know the answer to what is ChatGPT, but what is Microsoft Copilot? Copilot will offer AI-powered capabilities across Microsoft 365 applications and services.
After limited testing with 20 enterprise customers, Microsoft is expanding access to Copilot with the Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access Program, a paid preview that will initially roll out to 600 global customers.
With Copilot’s release drawing ever nearer many people are wondering whether Copilot will be available to students for free.
Who has Microsoft 365 Copilot early access?
Microsoft has been testing the Copilot with 20 enterprise customers, including General Motors and Goodyear, for the past two months, and has received good feedback on how it might change work and spark creativity. More organizations will be able to provide feedback on the new generative AI features in Microsoft 365 due to the early access program. Microsoft has emphasized that it wants to ensure the copilot works well and that customers can trust it.
The system makes it clear how it makes decisions by noting limitations, linking to sources, and prompting users to review, fact-check, and adjust content based on subject-matter expertise. Microsoft has also introduced new features to Copilot, including the ability to prompt for draft plans, ideas, and lists, and to organize information.
For all organizations that won’t receive an invite, Microsoft is also launching the Semantic Index Copilot, which will provide Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 plan users with a detailed map of their user and company data. Microsoft has emphasized the accessibility of its service with the introduction of the Microsoft 365 Copilot Early Access Program but, stated that it is an invitation-only preview program that will be accessible to an initial batch of 600 clients worldwide.
This exclusive access ensures that the service is thoroughly tested, and customers feedback can be incorporated into the final version.
Microsoft Copilot Features
Microsoft is also adding new features to its Microsoft 365 Copilot. The new capabilities include DALL-E in PowerPoint. Copilot in PowerPoint can optimize text, turn bullet points into paragraphs or vice versa, and change the tone.
Copilot is also embedded in Outlook where it can now help users write more effectively in the appropriate tone. Users can also ask for AI-powered suggestions on clarity, sentiment, and tone when creating emails. While in Microsoft Loop, it can summarize all content on a loop page and make the summaries shareable as a Loop component.
These new features aim to help users work more efficiently, creatively and effectively.
Final word
Copilot will provide writing guidance on clarity and tone, helping users deliver information appropriately.
While there is no word yet on when these new features will be available to preview customers, Microsoft is taking its time to ensure that Copilot works well and is trustworthy.
The company is also taking steps to warn users about the potential for inaccurate results, a common problem with large language models.
Copilot is set to expand to other services including OneNote, Loop, Whiteboard, and Viva Learning, offering new opportunities for idea generation, organization, and collaboration.
