What is Microsoft Copilot?
Copilot is a generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot developed by Microsoft.
It is running on the company’s Prometheus model, which was based on OpenAI’s GPT-4 series of large language models (LLMs).
Launched in 2023 under its initial name Bing Chat, the AI model replaced Microsoft’s previous virtual assistant Cortana.
How to use Microsoft Copilot?
There are several different ways you can access Microsoft’s AI chatbot:
Apart from Windows, it also works on Apple’s MacOS, iOS and Android.
A dropdown menu allows you to choose from various different modes based on your needs:
- Quick response: A lightweight model optimised for speed and efficiency.
- Think Deeper: A more advanced model optimised for more complex topics.
- Smart: Running on GPT-5, this model is design to optimise itself to either think deeply or quickly based on the given prompt.
- Deep Research: Looking at multiple relevant sources, this model will provide you with a detailed report with references. It usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Action: While still in testing, this model is supposed to take over some daily tasks from you, such as travel bookings, restaurant reservations, or ordering groceries.
What can Microsoft Copilot do?
Similarly to other AI chatbots like Gemini or ChatGPT, Copilot is able to generate text based on a given prompt, including emails, shopping lists, or even poems.
It also cites sources within its responses, so you can easily verify the given information and explore the topic further if you like.
Windows 11 users can also benefit from a built-in version of the agent, which can change device settings, launch apps and troubleshoot technical problems.
At its Build 2023 conference in March 2023, the tech giant announced its plans to embed Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps such as Outlook, OneDrive and Teams.
Can Copilot generate images?
In March 2023, Microsoft incorporated Image Creator in Bing Chat, powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E.
“Whether you’re dreaming up a surreal landscape, designing a logo, or just want a fun cartoon of a cat in a spacesuit, I can bring your ideas to life visually,” says the AI chatbot when you ask about its image generation capabilities.
“You can describe what you want in as much detail as you like —subject, style, mood, colours — and I’ll create an image based on that.”
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Can Copilot edit photos?
Whether you need to tweak the lighting, remove background or apply a creative style, Copilot can assist with a wide range of edits.
This also includes cropping, rotating, and resizing as well as removing or generating objects.
However, when editing photos of people, all faces will be blurred as part of Microsoft’s privacy policy.
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Can Copilot generate speech?
Copilot Audio Expressions is a fun tool that allows you to convert text to AI-generated speech.
Simply write down what you want the AI model to say, choose one from a selection of voices and styles, from British Butler to Goblin.
The generated audio can then be downloaded for free or further adjusted.
Another interesting feature is Copilot Daily, which is an AI-generated podcast based on daily news that users can tailor to their own interests.
Can Copilot modify a Word document?
The chat window allows you to upload a range of file formats, including Word documents.
While Copilot cannot directly edit and re-upload a Word document, it can see it and talk to you about it.
There is also nothing stopping you from using the copy-and-paste method.
Simply tell the AI model what text you are working with and ask it to make changes within the chat window.
However, Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers have exclusive access to Copilot in Word, which is a built-in writing assistant design to help you draft, edit and refine documents.
Can Copilot edit Excel files?
Similarly, Copilot can help you edit the contents of your Excel spreadsheets, but not in the file itself.
You can, however, upload your spreadsheet to the chat window and ask Copilot to suggest edits for you.
While it cannot generate graphs, it can analyse the table and suggest what type of chart would work the best for given data.
As part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription package, though, you can also get an AI-powered assistant for Excel, which can help you analyse, summarise and manipulate data using natural language.
Can Copilot edit a PDF?
The same scenario applies to Portable Document Format (PDF), which Copilot can access but not edit.
If you upload your file to the chat window, the AI model can proofread it and let you know what changes you should make.
It can also summarise long reports or find a specific piece of information for you.
Is Microsoft Copilot for free?
For regular users, Microsoft offers a free version of its AI model, which comes with certain limitations.
For £19 a month, you can unlock some extra features with Microsoft Copilot Pro:
- Preferred access to the latest AI models
- Built-in AI assistant in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook
- Deep research: Ask detailed questions and receive comprehensive reports in a few minutes
Is Copilot as good as ChatGPT?
Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI, and its partnership with the organisation made the development of ChatGPT possible.
Copilot itself uses a component called the Orchestrator, which combines Bing Search with OpenAI’s LLMs.
When comparing Copilot and ChatGPT, you can think of them as cousins with very different lifestyles.
ChatGPT is more of an artist or creative writer while Copilot is wearing a business suit.
Both use the same underlying technology — GPT-4 or GPT-5, depending on your subscription — but they are built for different experiences.
While OpenAI’s work is mainly focused on developing a general-purpose chatbot, Microsoft is looking to integrate AI across its products, from Windows to Excel.
There is a public version of Copilot, which everyone can access, but the target audience are companies and businessmen.
