Microsoft Copilot

What it does

Copilot is Microsoft’s AI assistant. On its own it answers questions and writes like other assistants; with a Microsoft 365 plan it also works inside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.

That makes it the natural choice where work already happens in Microsoft’s apps.

Why use it

• It drafts documents in Word and summarises long email threads in Outlook.
• It can recap Teams meetings you missed, where your organisation allows it.
• It is built into Windows and the Edge browser.
• Work accounts come with Microsoft’s enterprise data protection.

How it works

1. Open Copilot in Windows, the Edge browser, the app or at copilot.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with a personal Microsoft account, or your work account for work data.
3. Ask in plain English, or open the Copilot pane inside Word, Excel or Outlook.
4. Point it at a document or email thread to summarise or rewrite.
5. Check the result before you send or share it.

How hard is it to use?

Beginner Easy to start. You need an account, not any technical know-how.

Easy to start in the free app. Using it inside Microsoft 365 apps depends on your plan and, at work, on what your IT team has switched on.

What it costs

Free; paid Microsoft 365 options. The Copilot app is free. Microsoft 365 personal plans include some Copilot features, and Copilot for business is an add-on licence per person.

Prices change often, so check Microsoft Copilot’s own site before you pay.

Watch out for

• Personal and work versions behave differently, which can confuse.
• The business add-on is a significant cost per person; trial it before buying for everyone.

Your data

Signed in with a work account, Microsoft’s enterprise data protection applies. With a personal account, check the privacy settings for whether your conversations can be used to train its models.

Microsoft Copilot doesn’t offer UK data storage, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.