Microsoft announces the launch of Microsoft 365 Copilot

Following substantial investment in OpenAI and the launch of Bing AI, Microsoft has been on an unrelenting upward trajectory in the realm of artificial intelligence. Just yesterday, Microsoft announced in a blog post that they will integrate AI into Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, all of which will benefit from the AI-powered Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Within Word, Copilot can generate initial drafts based on minimal user prompts or create documents by perusing existing files. Additionally, it can modify current drafts by adding paragraphs, summarizing content, or even rewriting sections to achieve a more concise appearance. Copilot can also control the linguistic style of the document, allowing users to make the text more formal or casual as desired.

In Excel, Copilot serves as a highly capable assistant for users unfamiliar with advanced Excel features such as macros and data analysis. Users can issue direct commands to the AI, which will then analyze data, insert new tables, and generate relevant visualizations without altering the original data.

Similarly, PowerPoint’s Copilot can read pertinent files, converting existing documents into a specified number of slides that incorporate relevant images. Users can also provide the AI with a rudimentary outline and prompts, enabling it to autonomously create presentations. Like in Word, the AI can adjust slide layouts and animations based on user commands.

Within Outlook, Copilot acts as a personal secretary, helping users manage a plethora of emails, flagging important messages, and providing email summaries. Users can command it to peruse other emails and documents, then draft responses or new emails with varying tones, such as invitations or expressions of gratitude.

Beyond these classic Office applications, team collaboration software like Teams also benefits from AI support, with Microsoft planning to expand AI integration across their entire business landscape. Currently, Microsoft is collaborating with 20 companies to test Microsoft 365 Copilot, including eight Fortune 500 corporations. In the foreseeable future, AI will likely play an increasingly integral role in the workplace, bolstering the productivity of professionals across industries.