Which Copilot Are They Talking About?

Oct 08, 2024

You might have recently seen my post on LinkedIn discussing the term "Copilot" and how its meaning can shift depending on who you're talking to within the Microsoft ecosystem.

“Which Copilot Are They Talking About?” LinkedIn post

The word "Copilot" can refer to several different tools, depending on the audience. For instance, Human Resources or Internal Communications teams might think of Microsoft 365 Copilot, which helps with tasks within those applications. On the other hand, IT professionals might associate Copilot with Copilot in Azure, which is a completely different tool.

Recently, I had a conversation with colleagues who kept mentioning "Copilot" but seemed unaware of the functionality offered by Copilot in Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, and other Microsoft 365 applications.

This article aims to shed light on this potential confusion surrounding the term "Copilot" within Microsoft. By understanding the different contexts, you'll be better equipped to identify the specific Copilot tool someone is referring to in conversation.

I Don't Really Know What Copilot Is Yet

Don't worry if you're still scratching your head about what Copilot actually is. We've all been there! The term can be confusing because it can represent several different tools depending on the context.

But fear not! Here's the key takeaway: there's essentially a central "Copilot" concept that encompasses a variety of functionalities across the Microsoft ecosystem, with a few exceptions.

To delve deeper into this concept, check out my previous article: Am I Alone in Wondering How Many Faces Microsoft Copilot has? This dives into the different "faces" of Copilot and clarifies that while there may be variations, the core idea of assistance and collaboration remains constant.

Why Context is King When Talking About Copilot

The world of Copilot is vast! There's a reason for that – it exists to support an incredible range of Microsoft tools and services. From Microsoft Word to Teams, there's a Copilot designed to enhance your experience.

The key takeaway? Each Copilot is unique and offers specific capabilities based on the software it works with.

For example:

Copilot in Word: Your trusty sidekick for content creation. It can draft content, edit existing text, summarize documents, and keep you flowing with ideas.
Copilot in PowerPoint: Here to save the day with presentations. Generate slides, modify styles, change content, and seamlessly add new slides.
Copilot in Teams: Your information sleuth. Search across your entire Microsoft 365 environment, including emails, chats, files, and meetings, all within Teams.

These are just a few examples, and there's a lot more Copilot can do! Check out this post on my LinkedIn feed for a deeper dive into functionalities offered by Microsoft 365 Copilot. (Just a heads-up, it might be a few months old, so there could be even more features now!)

The point is, with so many different Copilots around, it's important to understand the context when someone mentions it. People from different departments might use various Copilots but call them all by the same name.

Be a context detective! Pay attention to the conversation or simply ask for clarification about which specific tool they're referring to. This will ensure smooth communication and avoid any misunderstandings.

One Copilot to Rule Them All (Except for One)?

Here's the thing about Copilot: it's both a yes and a no answer to the question of whether there's just one master Copilot.

Let's break it down:

Technically One Copilot (Excluding GitHub and Copilot in Azure): If you consider my previous article (Am I Alone in Wondering How Many Faces Microsoft Copilot has?) then yes, there's one core Copilot concept powering all the functionalities. It just adapts its approach to fit the specific tool it's working with.
Many "Faces" with Different Strengths: But here's the catch – each "face" of Copilot offers unique capabilities tailored to the software it supports. It's like having a toolkit with different tools for different jobs.

So, How Many Copilots Are There Really?

There's no definitive list, but here's a good starting point to explore the possibilities:

Developers: GitHub Copilot (separate from Microsoft's ecosystem)
IT Professionals: Copilot in Azure (separate from Microsoft's ecosystem)
Power Platform Makers: Copilot in Power Platform
Office Workers (HR, Internal Comms, etc.): Microsoft 365 Copilot (including BizChat, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Loop, SharePoint Online, etc.)
Cybersecurity Experts: Copilot for Security
Sales Team: Copilot for Sales
Finance Professionals: Copilot for Finance
Call Center Agents: Copilot for Service
PC Users: Copilot for Windows
Web Users: Copilot for the web (formerly Bing Chat)

The Copilot universe is constantly expanding, with integrations planned for even more tools and services. Embrace the learning curve – Copilot is an unstoppable force for improved workflows.

Don't feel overwhelmed by the vastness of Copilot. Instead, focus on the tools that can benefit you the most. Explore them, learn from them, and watch your productivity soar!

Conclusion

This journey began with a simple LinkedIn post, but it quickly became apparent that there was a need for a more comprehensive explanation of the Copilot ecosystem. While the hype around Copilot is undeniable, it's important to remember that not everyone is immersed in the details.

I hope this article has clarified the potential confusion surrounding Copilot. Remember, the key to effective communication is clarity. Understand the context of the conversation, and discuss Copilot with a clear understanding of the specific tool being referenced.

Have you encountered any challenges when discussing Copilot with your colleagues? Share your experiences in the comments! Let's continue the conversation and help each other navigate the ever-evolving world of Copilot.