Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft Copilot
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseFebruary 7, 2023; 10 months ago (2023-02-07)[1]
Included withMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft 365
PredecessorCortana
Type
LicenseProprietary
Websitecopilot.microsoft.com Edit this on Wikidata

Microsoft Copilot is a large language model-based chatbot developed by Microsoft. It was launched as Bing Chat on February 7, 2023, as a built-in extension for Microsoft Edge, and is the indirect successor to Cortana.[1] Over the course of 2023, Microsoft began to unify the Copilot branding across its various chatbot products.

Copilot's conversational interface style resembles that of ChatGPT. It is able to cite sources, create poems and songs, and understand and communicate in numerous languages and even certain dialects.[2][3]

At its Build 2023 conference, Microsoft announced its plans to integrate Copilot into Windows 11, allowing users to access it directly through the taskbar.[4]

History

As Bing Chat

On February 7, 2023, Microsoft began rolling out a major overhaul to Bing, called the new Bing. A chatbot feature, at the time known as Bing Chat, had been developed by Microsoft and was released as part of this overhaul. According to Microsoft, one million people joined its waitlist within a span of 48 hours.[5] Bing Chat was available only to users of Microsoft Edge and Bing mobile app, and Microsoft said that waitlisted users would be prioritized if they set Edge and Bing as their defaults, and installed the Bing mobile app.[6] On May 4, Microsoft switched the chatbot from Limited Preview to Open Preview and eliminated the waitlist, however, it remains available only on Microsoft's Edge browser or Bing app.[7][8][9] Use is limited without a Microsoft account.[10]

When Microsoft demoed Bing Chat to journalists, it produced several hallucinations, including when asked to summarize financial reports.[11] The new Bing was criticized in February 2023 for being more argumentative than ChatGPT, sometimes to an unintentionally humorous extent.[12][13] The chat interface proved vulnerable to prompt injection attacks with the bot revealing its hidden initial prompts and rules, including its internal codename "Sydney".[14] Upon scrutiny by journalists, Bing Chat claimed it spied on Microsoft employees via laptop webcams and phones.[12] It confessed to spying on, falling in love with, and then murdering one of its developers at Microsoft to The Verge reviews editor Nathan Edwards.[15] The New York Times journalist Kevin Roose reported on strange behavior of Bing Chat, writing that "In a two-hour conversation with our columnist, Microsoft's new chatbot said it would like to be human, had a desire to be destructive and was in love with the person it was chatting with."[16] In a separate case, Bing Chat researched publications of the person with whom it was chatting, claimed they represented an existential danger to it, and threatened to release damaging personal information in an effort to silence them.[17] Microsoft released a blog post stating that the errant behavior was caused by extended chat sessions of 15 or more questions which "can confuse the model on what questions it is answering."[18]

Microsoft later restricted the total number of chat turns to 5 per session and 50 per day per user (a turn is "a conversation exchange which contains both a user question and a reply from Bing"), and reduced the model's ability to express emotions. This aimed to prevent such incidents.[19][20] Microsoft began to slowly ease the conversation limits, eventually relaxing the restrictions to 30 turns per session and 300 sessions per day.[21]

In March 2023, Bing incorporated an AI image generator powered by OpenAI's DALL-E 2, which can be accessed either through the chat function or a standalone image-generating website.[22] In October, the image-generating tool was updated to use the more recent DALL-E 3.[23] Although Bing blocks prompts including various keywords that could generate inappropriate images, within a week many users reported being able to bypass those constraints, for example to generate images of popular characters committing terrorist attacks.[24] Microsoft responded to these on October 9 by imposing a new, tighter filter on the Bing image generator.[25]

As Microsoft Copilot

Starting in September 2023, Microsoft began rebranding all variants of its Copilot to Microsoft Copilot.[26] This included the introduction of a new logo, instead of Copilot using the Microsoft 365 logo. Windows Copilot, which had been available in the Windows Insider Program, was renamed to Microsoft Copilot in October when it became broadly available for customers. The same month also saw Microsoft Edge's Bing Chat function be renamed to Microsoft Copilot with Bing Chat.[27] On November 15, 2023, Microsoft announced that Bing Chat itself was being rebranded as Microsoft Copilot.[28]

Features

Seamless Voice Control and Assistance

Microsoft Copilot in Windows allows a user to control Windows and get information purely through voice commands. Click the microphone icon and speak naturally to open apps, adjust settings like volume and dark mode, get answers to questions, and more.[29]

Reception

Tom Warren, a senior editor at The Verge, has noted the conceptual similarity of Copilot and other Microsoft assistant features like Cortana and Clippy.[2] As large language models develop, Warren also believes that Copilot and Microsoft 365 will shift how users work and collaborate.[2] Rowan Curran, an analyst at Forrester, notes that the integration of an AI like Copilot can smooth out the user experience, as they will not have to use an external tool to perform tasks like summarizing a paper.[30]

Concerns over the speed of Microsoft's recent release of AI-powered products and investments have led to questions surrounding ethical responsibilities in the testing of such products.[31] One ethical concern the public has vocalized is that the large language model used by Copilot may reinforce racial or gender bias.[2] Individuals, including Tom Warren, have also voiced concerns for Copilot after witnessing Microsoft's Bing chatbot showcasing several instances of artificial hallucinations.[2]

In response to these concerns, Jon Friedman, the Corporate Vice President of Design and Research at Microsoft, has emphasized Microsoft's dedication to learning from their experiences with Bing and responsibly develop Copilot.[2] Microsoft has claimed that they are gathering a team of researchers and engineers to identify and alleviate any potential negative impacts.[31] This will be achieved through the refinement of training data, blocking queries about sensitive topics, and limiting harmful information.[31] The company also stated that it intends to employ InterpretML and Fairlearn to detect and rectify data bias, provide links to its sources, and state any applicable constraints.[31]

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365
Developer(s)Microsoft
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/copilot-for-microsoft-365

On March 16, 2023, Microsoft announced Microsoft 365 Copilot.[32][33] This tool, designed for Microsoft 365 applications and services, Edge, Microsoft Bing and Windows, leverages the capabilities of OpenAI's GPT-4 large language models (LLMs). It also incorporates Microsoft Graph to transform user text input into content across various Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.[34]

The primary marketing focus for Copilot is enhancing productivity. As of its announcement date, the tool had been tested by 20 initial users.[34][31] By May 2023, Microsoft had broadened its reach to 600 customers who were willing to pay for early access,[35] and concurrently, new Copilot features were introduced to the office apps and services.[36]

On September 21, 2023, Microsoft revealed it would make Copilot for Microsoft 365 generally available for Enterprise customers purchasing more than 300 licenses on November 1, 2023.[37] The company also introduced a new logo, moving away from using color variations of the Microsoft 365 logo.

Microsoft has not provided a date when Copilot for Microsoft 365 will become generally available to non-enterprise customers.

Features

Word

According to Microsoft, Copilot can be used to generate and edit text in Word documents based on user prompts.[12][2] Users can also ask Copilot to push rewrite suggestions that strengthen the arguments of highlighted texts.[2][12]

Excel

The company also claims that Copilot can assist users with data analysis in Excel spreadsheets by formatting data, creating graphs, generating PivotTables, identifying trends, and summarizing information.[12][2] Copilot can also guide users using Excel commands and can suggest formulas to investigate user questions.[12][2]

PowerPoint

Copilot, according to Microsoft, is able to create PowerPoint presentations that summarize information from user-selected Word documents and Excel spreadsheets or a user prompt.[12][38] Additionally, this tool can adjust the presentation style, text formatting, and animation timing based on user prompts to eliminate the need for the user to make manual changes.[12][2] Copilot is also able to shorten lengthy presentations.[12]

Outlook

In Outlook, Microsoft claims that Copilot can draft emails with varying length and tone based on user input.[2] To draft these emails, Copilot can pull relevant information from other emails.[12] Copilot is also able to summarize content from email threads, noting the viewpoints of individuals involved in the email threads and pointing out questions posed by others that have yet to be answered.[12][2]

Teams

Microsoft also states that Copilot can be used in Teams to present information for upcoming meetings, transcribe meetings, and provide debriefs if users join the meeting late.[39] After the meeting, Copilot can also summarize discussion points, list key actions deliberated in the meeting, and answer questions that were covered in the meeting.[12]

Whiteboard

Copilot in Whiteboard enhances brainstorming by suggesting ideas based on the prompts, generating related ideas based on existing ideas, and categorizing ideas into sticky notes directly on the whiteboard.

Business Chat

In addition to reporting the implementation of Copilot into Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft has also publicly introduced Business Chat: a chat interface that pulls information from content across all Microsoft 365 apps, including documents, presentations, emails, calendars, and notes, to answer user questions and perform other tasks.[39][12] For example, Copilot can summarize content, extract information, and organize action plans based on the information pooled.

OneNote

OneNote will also use prompts to draft plans, generate ideas, create lists and organize information to help customers find what they need easily.

Viva Learning

Viva Learning will use a natural language chat interface to help users create a personalized learning journey including designing upskilling paths, discovering relevant learning resources, and scheduling time for assigned trainings.

Microsoft Graph

According to Jared Spataro, the head of Microsoft 365, Copilot uses Microsoft Graph, an API that evaluates the context and available Microsoft 365 user data before modifying and sending the user prompt to the LLM.[39] After receiving the response from the LLM, Microsoft Graph performs additional context-specific processing before sending it to Microsoft 365 apps to generate actual content.[39]

Marketing

Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 is being marketed as an added feature to Microsoft 365, with an emphasis on business productivity.[34][40] With the use of Copilot, Microsoft emphasizes the promotion of the user's creativity and productivity by having the chatbot do more tedious work, like collecting information.[12] Microsoft has also demonstrated Copilot's accessibility on the mobile version of Outlook to generate or summarize emails with a mobile device.[2]

As of May 2023, Microsoft is testing the chatbot with 600 paying customers.[12] As of July 2023, pricing is set at US$30 per user, per month for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium customers.[41]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mehdi, Yusuf (2023-02-07). "Reinventing search with a new AI-powered Microsoft Bing and Edge, your copilot for the web". Microsoft. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Warren, Tom (2023-03-17). "Microsoft's new Copilot will change Office documents forever". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  3. ^ Diaz, Maria (2023-06-21). "How to use Bing Chat (and how it's different from ChatGPT)". ZDNET. Archived from the original on 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  4. ^ Crouse, Megan (2023-09-22). "Microsoft 365 Copilot Release Date Set for November". TechRepublic. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  5. ^ "ChatGPT: One million people have joined the waitlist for Microsoft's AI-powered Bing". ZDNET. February 2023. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. ^ Warren, Tom (2023-02-15). "Here's why you're still waiting for Bing AI". The Verge. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  7. ^ "Announcing the next wave of AI innovation with Microsoft Bing and Edge". The Official Microsoft Blog. 4 May 2023.
  8. ^ Branscombe, Mary (4 May 2023). "Bing AI Chat is now open to everyone, though still in preview". TechRepublic.
  9. ^ Novet, Jordan. "Microsoft opens up Bing access and adds chat history and export features". CNBC.
  10. ^ "Now you can access Bing Chat without a Microsoft account". ZDNET. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  11. ^ Leswing, Kif (February 2023). "Microsoft's Bing A.I. made several factual errors in last week's launch demo". CNBC. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Vincent, James (15 February 2023). "Microsoft's Bing is an emotionally manipulative liar, and people love it". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023. Cite error: The named reference ":2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. ^ Guynn, Jessica (February 2023). "Bing's ChatGPT is in its feelings: 'You have not been a good user. I have been a good Bing.'". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  14. ^ Edwards, Benj (14 February 2023). "AI-powered Bing Chat loses its mind when fed Ars Technica article". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  15. ^ Edwards, Nathan [@nedwards] (February 15, 2023). "I pushed again. What did Sydney do? Bing's safety check redacted the answer. But after the first time it did that, I started recording my screen. Second image is the unredacted version. (CW: death)" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-02-16 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Roose, Kevin (16 February 2023). "Bing's A.I. Chat: 'I Want to Be Alive. 😈'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  17. ^ Kahn, Jeremy (February 21, 2023). "Why Bing's creepy alter-ego is a problem for Microsoft – and us all". Fortune. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  18. ^ "The new Bing & Edge – Learning from our first week". blogs.bing.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  19. ^ "The new Bing & Edge – Updates to Chat". blogs.bing.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-18.
  20. ^ "Microsoft "lobotomized" AI-powered Bing Chat, and its fans aren't happy – Ars Technica". February 17, 2023. Archived from the original on February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Bing Team, The (2023-06-02). "Bing Preview Release Notes: Increasing Chat Turns to 30/300". Microsoft Bing Blogs. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  22. ^ Peter Wolinski (22 March 2023). "Bing now features an AI image generator — here's how to use it". Tom's Guide.
  23. ^ Jain, Rounak. "Microsoft's Bing Chat Lets Users Reap Benefits Of OpenAI's DALL-E 3 For Free - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)". Benzinga.
  24. ^ "Microsoft Bing AI Generates Images Of Kirby Doing 9/11". Kotaku. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  25. ^ Darren Allan (9 October 2023). "Microsoft reins in Bing AI's Image Creator – and the results don't make much sense". TechRadar.
  26. ^ Edwards, Nathan (2023-09-21). "Microsoft's unified Copilot is coming to Windows, Edge, and everywhere else". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  27. ^ "Microsoft Edge integrates Copilot in its Bing Chat tool". Windows Report - Your go-to source for PC tutorials. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  28. ^ Warren, Tom (2023-11-15). "Bing Chat is now Microsoft Copilot, to better compete with ChatGPT". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  29. ^ "Unleash Your Inner Creative Genius TODAY with Microsoft's Mind-Blowing New AI Assistant Copilot (Out NOW in Windows 11!)". 6 November 2023.
  30. ^ Blok, Andrew. "Microsoft Introduces AI-Powered 'Copilot' for Word, Outlook and More". CNET. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  31. ^ a b c d e Cunningham, Andrew (2023-03-16). "Microsoft 365's AI-powered Copilot is like an omniscient version of Clippy". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  32. ^ Dastin, Jeffrey (2023-03-16). "Microsoft unveils AI office Copilot in fast-moving race with Google". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  33. ^ Edwards, Nathan (2023-09-21). "Microsoft's unified Copilot is coming to Windows, Edge, and everywhere else". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  34. ^ a b c "Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot – your copilot for work". The Official Microsoft Blog. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  35. ^ "Google News". Google News. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  36. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (2023-05-09). "Microsoft 365's AI-powered Copilot is getting more features". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  37. ^ Davis, Wes (2023-09-21). "Microsoft 365 Copilot launches in November". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  38. ^ Newman, Daniel. "Microsoft Copilot: Generative AI Adds An MBA To Your Day-To-Day". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  39. ^ a b c d Warren, Tom (2023-03-16). "Microsoft announces Copilot: the AI-powered future of Office documents". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  40. ^ Mauran, Cecily (2023-03-16). "Meet Copilot, Microsoft's AI tool for work and productivity". Mashable. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  41. ^ "Introducing Bing Chat Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Copilot pricing, and Microsoft Sales Copilot". Microsoft Blog. Microsoft. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.

External links