Microsoft Copilot: Everything you need to know

Exploring Microsoft Copilot: A New Era of AI Assistance

In the ever-evolving world of technology, Microsoft has taken a significant leap with its introduction of “Copilot”, an AI-infused assistant that is making waves across its various products. The name “Copilot” now resonates through the tech corridors, from Windows 11 to Microsoft 365, Bing, and beyond. It’s a versatile suite of AI tools crafted to streamline and enhance user experiences.

But have you stopped to ask what Copilot actually is? More than a mere buzzword, Microsoft Copilot represents a convergence of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence with Bing’s search capabilities through the innovative Prometheus technology. Designed to interact in a conversational human style, it fetches up-to-date web information to answer queries with precision.

Specifically, Copilot for Windows 11 steps up as a digital assistant that supersedes Cortana, deeply integrated into the operating system to manage tasks like altering system settings. While the Windows 10 variant mirrors the web version’s functionalities, it lacks the ability to modify system settings.

The web and Bing versions of Copilot essentially offer identical capabilities, the only distinction being the platform of access—whether through Copilot.Microsoft.com or Bing.com/Chat. Moreover, a range of business applications also features their own tailored versions of Copilot.

Does Microsoft Copilot use GPT-4?

Delving into the technicalities, Copilot harnesses the power of the Prometheus model, which is based on OpenAI’s GPT-4, albeit with Microsoft’s customized adjustments for public use. The company touts not only the use of GPT-4 but also GPT-4 Turbo, with the latter being the exclusive offering in the free tier.

As of the latest updates, GPT-4 Turbo is the more recent model, boasting knowledge up to April 2023, in contrast to GPT-4’s information which only extends to September 2021. With enhancements like a 128K context window, the chatbot operates more efficiently, which translates to lower operational costs. For an in-depth look, the OpenAI models overview page offers detailed insights.

Does Microsoft Copilot use ChatGPT?

Contrary to some assumptions, Copilot does not utilize ChatGPT. While ChatGPT is an OpenAI application that taps into GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 to deliver a chatbot AI experience, Microsoft’s Copilot stands apart, showcasing the company’s innovative trajectory separate from OpenAI’s products.

Is Microsoft Copilot free to use?

Accessibility is key, and Copilot does indeed offer a free tier. For those seeking additional features, the “Copilot Pro” subscription is available, providing perks like priority access, the ability to build custom Copilot GPTs for different skills, and integration with Microsoft 365 apps, among other benefits.

Is Microsoft Copilot included in Microsoft 365?

Copilot is a standalone offering and is not bundled with the Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Those wishing to utilize Copilot within Microsoft 365 applications will need both a Personal or Family subscription to Microsoft 365 and a separate Copilot Pro subscription.

When was Microsoft Copilot released?

Microsoft first introduced the world to what is now known as Copilot on February 7, 2023, initially branding it “Bing Chat”. The service was initially rolled out on the web and through the Microsoft Edge browser. Subsequently, Microsoft embraced the “Copilot” branding across its array of services and introduced it to Windows 11 ahead of schedule, followed by a release for Windows 10 towards the end of 2023.

What is the Microsoft Copilot available on Edge?

The Microsoft Edge browser’s version of Copilot offers the same capabilities as the web variant, along with tools to assist users in content creation. The “Compose” feature within Edge empowers users to craft text in various tones and styles, with options to rewrite snippets using Copilot’s assistance.

What does Microsoft Copilot do?

As an AI assistant, Microsoft Copilot is designed to understand both text and audio inputs in natural language, answering any question on any topic. Its capabilities vary across different platforms and subscriptions, such as content creation in Microsoft 365 apps or generating AI images. Additionally, it can integrate with other services through plugins, adding a layer of versatility to its already robust framework.

Does Microsoft Copilot collect my data?

Interaction with Copilot involves the collection of prompts and responses to facilitate conversation analysis and improvement. This “Chat History” is stored for 90 days, with options for users to view and remove it. While Microsoft enforces security measures to protect privacy, users should remain mindful of the information they share with AI assistants.

For further information and resources on Windows 10 and Windows 11, including guides and answers to common questions, visiting dedicated tech resources and forums is recommended.

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Microsoft Copilot: Everything you need to know