Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a huge part of how we work, and Microsoft Copilot is one of the latest tools that brings AI right into the apps I already use every day. It launched in March 2023, and since then, I’ve been testing it out to see how it fits into my work life. Spoiler alert: it’s been a game-changer.
What is Microsoft Copilot?
In simple terms, Copilot is an AI assistant built into Microsoft 365. It works across apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams to help with everything from writing content to analyzing data. Microsoft says Copilot combines its AI models with the Microsoft Graph, which means it’s not just guessing what you need—it’s pulling information from your files, emails, chats, and calendar to give you real, contextual support.
Here’s a quick rundown of what Copilot can do:
- Draft emails and documents: You can give it a simple prompt, and it will create a first draft for you.
- Summarise and analyse data: It can quickly pick out key insights from an Excel spreadsheet or create visualisations.
- Create presentations: Copilot can turn a document or bullet points into a slide deck.
- Manage tasks: It can generate to-do lists, extract action items from meetings, and even follow up on tasks.
My Experience with Copilot
I’ve been using AI tools for a while now, so I was curious about how Copilot would stack up. Honestly, at first, I didn’t use it much, but now it’s become a huge part of my workflow every day. and it’s impressive. Here are two ways I’ve been using it:
1. Recording and Summarising Meetings
I attend a lot of Teams meetings, and keeping track of everything can be overwhelming. Copilot helps me:
- Automatically summarise meeting discussions.
- Pull out action items and organize them into a list.
- Follow up with people by generating quick email drafts based on the meeting notes.
This has been a lifesaver, especially on days when back-to-back meetings leave little time to process everything.
2. Staying Updated on Projects and People
I manage multiple projects and get updates from so many places—emails, Teams chats, Planner, and more. With Copilot, I can:
- Ask for a quick summary of what’s happening with a particular project or person.
- Get a snapshot of recent updates, tasks, and deadlines without digging through emails or notes.
It’s like having an assistant who’s always one step ahead and knows exactly where to look for the answers.
A Note on Licensing
It’s worth mentioning that Copilot isn’t included in a standard Microsoft 365 license. You’ll need an additional license to use it, which might be something to consider if you’re thinking about giving it a try.
Why AI Like Copilot Matters
AI tools like Copilot aren’t just about automating tasks—they’re about making life easier. By handling the repetitive stuff, I’ve been able to focus more on the parts of my work that actually need my attention. And the fact that it’s built into tools I already use makes it feel like a natural extension of my workflow.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious about Copilot and want to see more examples of how it can fit into your work, check out my Patreon. I’ve got more articles and walkthroughs there that dive deeper into its features and real-world use cases.
