Desution
30/07/2024
Microsoft's AI Innovation: Copilot
Microsoft 365
Copilot
AI
Microsoft is one of the most influential technology companies in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. With the launch of its AI assistant, Copilot, they have taken another step into the future of technology. In this article, we will explore how they got here and delve into Microsoft's AI, called Copilot.
Microsoft's History
Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. The vision of these young entrepreneurs was to create software for personal computers, something revolutionary at that time. Although Bill Gates is one of the founders and was the main face of the company for many years, Microsoft is now a public company, and its owners are its shareholders. The current CEO is Satya Nadella.
AI in Our Daily Lives
Nowadays, artificial intelligence has found its way into our homes, from assistants like Google Assistant, within our televisions, and even in the graphics cards built into our computers and laptops. In this dynamic, Microsoft did not want to be left behind, and on aria-label='Go to article' href='https://news.microsoft.com/es-es/2023/09/21/llega-microsoft-copilot-el-companero-de-inteligencia-artificial-para-el-dia-a-dia/#:~:text=Microsoft%20365%20Copilot%20estar%C3%A1%20disponible,completo%20la%20forma%20de%20trabajar.' target='blank'> November 1, 2023, launched its own assistant available from any device with access to a Microsoft account. It is available for free, although there is also a paid version.
Creating a Microsoft Account
Today, you can create a Microsoft account very easily by following these steps:
1. Visit the aria-label='Go to microsoft Account' aria-label='Go to Microsoft' href='https://account.microsoft.com/account'>Microsoft account creation page.
2. Click on 'Sign In' and then on 'Create One'.
3. Click on 'Get a new email address'.
4. Enter the name of the new email address of your choice, and follow the instructions to complete the process.
To download and install any Microsoft product, such as Microsoft Office or Windows, you can visit Microsoft's official website and follow the specific instructions for each product. 2. Click on 'Sign In' and then on 'Create One'.
3. Click on 'Get a new email address'.
4. Enter the name of the new email address of your choice, and follow the instructions to complete the process.
Copilot: Microsoft's AI Assistant
Copilot is an AI assistant developed by Microsoft. It uses advanced machine learning technology to help users with daily tasks, improve productivity, and provide contextual assistance in Microsoft 365 applications.
Copilot works by integrating with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, and Teams. It uses language models to understand user instructions and provide suggestions, complete tasks automatically, and improve work efficiency.
To use Copilot, simply open one of the compatible Microsoft 365 applications and look for the Copilot option in the tools menu or click on your computer on 'Windows + C'. From there, you can give it voice or text commands to assist you with your tasks.
Microsoft Copilot redefines how we interact with productivity applications.
Examples of Using Copilot for Free
Microsoft Word (via Web and Mobile)
Texts and content creation:
'Check this paragraph for grammatical errors.'
'Rephrase this text to sound more professional.'
'Rephrase this text to sound more professional.'
'Write an introduction for a report on market trends.'
'Generate a summary of this 5-page document.'
'Generate a summary of this 5-page document.'
Microsoft Excel (via Web and Mobile)
Task analysis and automation:
'Create a bar chart with this data.'
'Calculate the mean, median, and mode of this column.'
'Calculate the mean, median, and mode of this column.'
'Write a formula to calculate month-to-month growth percentage.'
'Create a pivot table with this sales data.'
'Create a pivot table with this sales data.'
Microsoft Teams (via Web and Mobile)
Organization and collaboration:
'Schedule a meeting with the team for next Monday at 10 AM.'
'Generate a to-do list for the current project.'
'Generate a to-do list for the current project.'
'Create a quick survey to gather opinions on the new product design.'
'Write a welcome message for the new team member.'
'Write a welcome message for the new team member.'
Microsoft Outlook (via Web and Mobile)
Email management and planning:
'Write a follow-up email for this client.'
'Organize my emails by priority and show the most important ones first.'
'Organize my emails by priority and show the most important ones first.'
'Add this appointment to my calendar and send invitations to participants.'
'Create a reminder for the weekly team meeting.'
'Create a reminder for the weekly team meeting.'
Microsoft PowerPoint (via Web and Mobile)
Design and presentation creation:
'Create a slide with the key points of this report.'
'Generate a chart showing sales trends over the past year.'
'Generate a chart showing sales trends over the past year.'
'Apply a professional theme to this presentation.'
'Add transitions between these slides.'
'Add transitions between these slides.'
Copilot and GPT-4 Technology
Microsoft Copilot in its free version offers a range of features that can be very useful for users in various applications and situations. Here are the details of what you can do with the free version:
Access and Availability:
- Available on multiple platforms: You can access Copilot from the web, mobile devices (iOS and Android), Windows, macOS, and iPadOS.
- Use of GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo models: During non-peak times, you will have access to these advanced AI models. However, during high-demand times, access may be limited to GPT-3.5.
- AI image creation: Use the image designer to generate up to 15 images per day.
- Use of GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo models: During non-peak times, you will have access to these advanced AI models. However, during high-demand times, access may be limited to GPT-3.5.
- AI image creation: Use the image designer to generate up to 15 images per day.
Functionalities in Applications
Although the free version of Copilot does not directly integrate with Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, you can still use Copilot for general tasks in these platforms through the chat interface available both on the web and mobile devices.
This means you can access Copilot's basic functionalities from any browser or from the app on your mobile or computer, allowing you to leverage AI capabilities to improve your productivity without needing full integration.
Comparisons and Compatibility
Comparison with Google Assistant
Google has its own AI assistant known as Google Assistant. Although both have similar capabilities, Copilot is more integrated with Microsoft's productivity tools, while Google Assistant focuses more on search and smart devices. In conclusion, while Google Assistant may be more versatile in its integration with home devices and search functions, Microsoft Copilot offers a more robust and efficient experience for those using Microsoft 365 applications, optimizing tasks and improving productivity in a professional environment.
Compatibility with PC and MAC
Copilot is available for both PC and MAC users, ensuring that everyone can benefit from its capabilities regardless of the operating system they use. To activate Copilot, make sure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Then open one of the compatible applications and follow the instructions to enable Copilot in the settings menu.
Copilot is poised to be an essential tool in the future of digital work.
Conclusion
Microsoft has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation and productivity improvement with the launch of Copilot. This AI assistant not only facilitates daily tasks but also helps users be more efficient and effective in their work. With its integration with GPT-4 and availability on multiple platforms, Copilot is poised to be an essential tool in the future of digital work.