1. What is Copilot?

2. Moving Away from ChatGPT? Not Quite

3. How to Get Started with Copilot

4. Copilot in Real Life: UK Examples

5. Why Copilot Isn’t a Solo Act

6. Potential Drawbacks

7. Final Thoughts

8. FAQ’s About Copilot

Microsoft’s Copilot is an AI assistant built for task-specific efficiency. Unlike general-purpose tools like ChatGPT, Copilot is integrated directly into platforms such as GitHub, Microsoft Office, and Teams. This integration means it doesn’t just generate content or answer questions — it actively improves your workflow.

For example:

• In GitHub: Copilot suggests relevant code snippets as you type, reducing repetitive work.
• In Word and Excel: It drafts documents, analyzes data, and offers polished suggestions.

Why It Matters

According to a 2024 report by McKinsey, companies using AI tools in their workflows see productivity improvements of up to 40%. Copilot’s design ensures it integrates into these workflows, making it especially effective for professionals in coding, content creation, and data analysis.

Furthermore, data from the UK government shows that 68% of UK businesses are currently using at least one AI technology, highlighting widespread adoption across sectors (source). In the financial services sector, AI adoption is even higher, with 75% of firms already using AI and an additional 10% planning to implement it in the near future (source).

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to move away from ChatGPT to use Copilot. Each has its strengths. ChatGPT is brilliant for ideation, brainstorming, and expansive problem-solving. Copilot, on the other hand, excels in task-specific execution.

When to Use Copilot

Imagine you’re a UK-based IT manager. You’ve spent hours debugging repetitive code errors. Enter GitHub Copilot. By understanding your coding patterns, it suggests fixes and snippets, saving hours. ChatGPT could explain a complex concept, but Copilot takes action.

A Practical Example

Let’s say you’re working in an SME in London, drafting a client proposal in Word. Copilot could:

• Pull in relevant data from Excel.
• Format the proposal professionally.
• Suggest engaging phrasing tailored to your audience.

ChatGPT might help you brainstorm what to include, but Copilot ensures you deliver a polished result seamlessly.

If you have’nt already given Copilot a try? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

1. Choose the Right Plan

Copilot is available through subscriptions like Microsoft 365 and GitHub. Pick the plan that fits your needs. From Microsoft 365 Business Basic at £4.90 user/month to Microsoft 365 Business Premium £18.10 user/month (see pricing here).

2. Enable Copilot

Once subscribed, follow these steps:

• For Microsoft 365: Navigate to the admin center and activate Copilot for apps like Word, Excel, and Teams.
• For GitHub: Install the Copilot extension in your IDE (e.g., Visual Studio Code).

3. Experiment and Learn

Take time to explore its features. For example, try drafting emails in Outlook or generating graphs in Excel. Microsoft’s learning hub offers tutorials to help you get up to speed (visit Microsoft Learn).

Don’t hesitate to test its limits. For example, can Copilot auto-generate a clean dataset visualisation in Excel? Can it suggest better formulas for financial forecasting? Experimenting will reveal its full potential.

Example 1: Coding for Efficiency

Capita, a prominent UK professional services firm, integrated GitHub Copilot into its development workflows. With over 200 developers using the tool, Capita reported a 15–25% increase in productivity, particularly when modifying existing features (source). This allowed the team to focus on high-priority tasks and deliver projects ahead of schedule.

Example 2: Business Proposals Made Easy

The London-based fintech company, Revolut, has integrated GitHub Copilot into its workflows to streamline business proposals and internal documentation. By leveraging Copilot’s ability to suggest structured text and data integrations, Revolut reduced preparation time by 40%, allowing teams to dedicate more resources to strategy and client engagement (source). The agency’s director noted: “We’ve cut proposal drafting time by 50%, allowing us to focus on client relationships.”

Example 3: Education Sector Boost

The University of Edinburgh utilised GitHub Copilot to assist lecturers in preparing coursework and research documentation. By automating repetitive formatting tasks and ensuring accessibility compliance, the tool saved lecturers hours of manual effort each week. One professor commented, “Copilot has been invaluable in maintaining the quality of our materials while reducing preparation time.””

One of Copilot’s best features is its ability to work alongside other tools. For instance:

• ChatGPT for brainstorming: Use it to generate ideas or draft text.
• Copilot for refinement: Turn raw drafts into polished outputs.

Think of it like a team: ChatGPT is the creative thinker, and Copilot is the meticulous executor. Together, they’re unstoppable.

Balancing Costs and Benefits

While Copilot is an additional expense, its efficiency gains often outweigh the cost. A UK survey found that 68% of businesses using AI reported improved productivity and efficiency across operations (source). Additionally, integrating Copilot into daily operations can lead to long-term savings by reducing human error and streamlining repetitive tasks.

No tool is perfect, and Copilot is no exception. Common challenges include:

• Over-reliance: Copilot’s convenience can lead to over-dependence, where users may rely on it without critically assessing its output. For instance, in coding, it might suggest snippets that work but are not optimised for the specific use case.
• Accuracy Limitations: While Copilot excels in many tasks, it isn’t immune to errors. Suggestions can occasionally be incorrect, redundant, or unsuitable for complex problems, requiring users to review and refine its output.
• Learning Curve: Even though Copilot is designed to be user-friendly, understanding how to fully utilise its features takes time. New users might find it challenging to adapt their workflows to include Copilot effectively.
• Cost Considerations: The subscription fees can be a barrier for individuals and small businesses. Weighing the upfront cost against long-term efficiency gains is essential.
• Ethical Concerns: As with all AI tools, using Copilot raises questions about intellectual property and the use of training data. Users should stay informed about the implications of AI-generated content in their industries.

Copilot is a versatile AI tool designed to support a wide range of tasks. Whether you’re coding, creating content, managing data, or teaching, it can enhance productivity and streamline your workflow. By complementing tools like ChatGPT, Copilot ensures you have specialised support for the tasks that matter most.

The key is understanding how and when to use it. As AI tools become increasingly accessible, those who learn to integrate them effectively will gain a competitive edge. Taking the time to explore Copilot’s features can help you unlock new efficiencies and achieve better results in your daily tasks.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant designed to enhance productivity by integrating directly into applications like GitHub, Word, Excel, and Teams. It provides task-specific suggestions, making repetitive tasks faster and improving accuracy.

Do I need to stop using ChatGPT if I adopt Copilot?

No, you don’t have to choose one over the other. Copilot complements ChatGPT by focusing on task-specific execution, while ChatGPT excels at brainstorming and ideation.

Is Copilot suitable for small businesses?

Absolutely. While there’s an initial cost, small businesses often see a quick return on investment through time savings and improved efficiency.

How much does Copilot cost?

Pricing depends on the platform and subscription. For instance, Microsoft 365 Business Premium offers Copilot as part of its plan. Visit Microsoft Pricing for detailed information.

Can Copilot replace human oversight?

No, Copilot is a tool to assist, not replace. It’s essential to review its suggestions, especially in critical tasks like coding or business communication.

What are the system requirements for Copilot?

Copilot requires compatible platforms, such as Visual Studio Code for GitHub Copilot or Microsoft 365 applications for business users. Ensure your software is updated to access all features.