Over the past year, Microsoft has been improving its suite of productivity tools, positioning Microsoft 365 at the forefront of modern workspace solutions. One of the most exciting advancements is the roll-out of Microsoft 365 Copilot features.
If you’re new to Copilot, here’s a quick rundown: Copilot is an AI assistant that helps you navigate the complexities of Microsoft 365. Whether you’re trying to schedule meetings, find a document buried somewhere in your Drive, or automate mundane tasks, Copilot can get it done.
As 2023 winds to a close, let’s delve into the latest Copilot updates announced by Microsoft, shedding light on how these changes will shape the productivity landscape in the near future.
Now, let’s break down what’s new and why you should care.
Bing Chat Enterprise and Copilot Pricing
According to a recent post on Microsoft’s blog, there’s been a significant update regarding the pricing of the Microsoft 365 Copilot. This shift is undoubtedly a strategic move to make the platform more competitive and appealing to a broader range of businesses. The article elaborates on the integration of Bing Chat Enterprise into Microsoft 365.
Microsoft has launched Bing Chat Enterprise, which comes at no extra charge with Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium. In the future, it will be offered separately at $5 per user monthly. Users can use their work accounts to access Bing Chat Enterprise wherever Bing Chat is available, including Bing.com/chat and the Microsoft Edge sidebar. Additionally, a future update will allow access from Windows Copilot.
Integrating Bing Chat Enterprise into Microsoft 365 aims to enhance experiences, promote better teamwork, and improve overall productivity. Microsoft aims to provide an all-in-one integrated, competitively-priced solution by unifying these services.
Copilot in Teams – The August Revamp
One of the key highlights of this update is the deep integration with Microsoft Teams. Initially, Copilot started its journey in Teams with some basic features that have now been improved.
Below are notable updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot in August:
Enhanced Integration with Teams: Teams now offers a more streamlined experience with Copilot. At the click of a button, users can call Copilot to assist with tasks without switching between applications. If you’re in a Teams meeting and realize you’ve forgotten to include an important document. Copilot can fetch that document and suggest when to share it based on the meeting’s context. You can even ask Copilot to recap a discussion and decisions made and proactively suggest agenda items.
Improved AI: Copilot’s AI capabilities are more competent than ever. It better understands context and can offer more relevant suggestions, making the collaboration process smoother and more intuitive.
Interactive Workspaces: The new update has ushered in more dynamic workspaces within Teams, where Copilot can actively participate. Whether you need to pull data, create charts, or suggest edits in real time, Copilot ensures that collaboration is interactive and productive.
More Robust Security: Security has always been a cornerstone of Microsoft’s products. With the latest update, Copilot in Teams has further fortified its security measures, ensuring that sensitive data remains always protected.
User-Friendly UI: A more intuitive, user-friendly interface makes it easier to use Copilot.
What’s Next for Microsoft 365 Copilot?
As Microsoft continues its relentless pursuit of AI excellence, it’s evident that the company sees vast potential in integrating AI features with its productivity tools. The recent updates suggest a move towards a more collaborative, intuitive, and efficient workspace.
With the latest updates for Copilot, Microsoft is setting a benchmark for workspace solutions and envisioning a future where AI plays an integral role in assisting professionals in their everyday jobs. In the coming months, businesses can expect additional integrations, more advanced AI capabilities, and intuitive user experiences.
