The Copilot from Microsoft: A Field Report

A year ago, Microsoft presented its new AI integration for the digital workplace: Microsoft 365 Copilot. The tool promised to simplify and speed up work processes in Microsoft 365 applications and apps. Users should be able to control the AI as an assistant with simple voice commands.

We wrote a blog post in July 2023 in which we described the features and benefits of Microsoft 365 Copilot and gave an outlook for the future. Now let's take a look at how it works in practice: How has Microsoft 365 Copilot proven itself in everyday working life? Which forecasts were correct? What went better than expected? And how has the way we work changed as a result of using the tool?

Microsoft 365 Copilot is based on large language models that can be used in combination with Microsoft Graph data and Microsoft 365-apps work together. This means that the artificial intelligence not only understands language, but can also access users' individual data and applications. This enables it to create personalized and relevant content that is tailored to the respective context and purpose and controlled with simple text or voice commands.

The Copilot is integrated directly into Microsoft 365 applications and apps, such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and PowerPoint.

Microsoft 365 Copilot simplifies everyday work tasks such as

• Creating, summarizing, translating, formatting and correcting texts.
• Analyze, visualize, filter and sort data.
• Designing, structuring and animating presentations.
• Compose, reply to, forward and archive emails.
• Plan, invite, take minutes and follow up on meetings.
• Process search queries, provide information and make recommendations.

This allows employees to focus on the creative, strategic and complex aspects of their work while the AI performs routine, tedious and simple tasks. This increases productivity, quality and efficiency.

After half a year of using Microsoft 365 Copilot, we can say that the tool has met and in some cases even exceeded our expectations. The artificial intelligence is powerful, reliable and user-friendly. The voice commands are intuitive, precise and flexible. The content is personalized, relevant and of high quality. Integration with Microsoft 365 applications and apps is seamless, compatible and secure.

Of course, Microsoft 365 Copilot is not perfect. There is still room for improvement, challenges and limitations. For example:

• The AI is only partially capable of understanding and executing complex, ambiguous or ironic voice commands.
• The AI cannot always interpret a template correctly to generate new content.
• The AI is not always able to consider and respect ethical, legal or social aspects.
• Users must regularly review, correct and adjust the AI to avoid errors, bias and misuse.

These points show that Microsoft 365 Copilot is not a replacement for human work, but a supplement to it. AI can support users, but not replace them. AI can relieve them, but not disempower them. AI can inspire users, but not dominate them.

To ensure responsible and sustainable use of Microsoft 365 Copilot, it is important to have a governance strategy to define and implement. A governance strategy defines the rules, guidelines and responsibilities for the use of AI in the company. It includes aspects such as security, data protection, compliance, quality, ethics and transparency. This ensures that the co-pilot does not disclose personal information of third parties in response to prompts.

A governance strategy must be developed and communicated together with all relevant stakeholders. This includes management, IT, specialist departments, work councils, data protection officers, and end users. Both when M365 Copilot is introduced and during its subsequent operation, it must be regularly reviewed and adapted to meet changing requirements, needs and findings.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is an innovative, powerful and useful tool that simplifies and accelerates work processes in Microsoft 365 applications and apps.

It has solved some aspects better than expected and positively changed everyday working life. Users benefit from the functions and advantages of the Copilot, but also need to be aware of the challenges and limitations. The AI is an assistant, a supporter, and a partner - but not a replacement, not a relief machine, and not a supervisor.

However, in order to use the full power of Microsoft 365 Copilot, it is important that the IT systems in the company are networked with each other. This is why the implementation of integration scenarios is part of every AI strategy. This is the only way to make data from different sources and applications accessible and usable for Copilot. Equally important is the preparation of company data, governance settings and security to ensure the quality, security and compliance of the data. These aspects are crucial to exploiting the potential of AI and increasing efficiency, satisfaction and innovation in work processes.

We are excited to see how the Microsoft 365 Copilot develops and how artificial intelligence establishes itself in the world of work. We are convinced that AI integration is a step into the future that will drive the revolution in the world of work.