What Is Copilot AI and How to Tame It for Your Success

“Copilot. Your everyday AI companion”. Whenever you open Microsoft’s AI Copilot, you expect to interact with a reliable and innovative assistant. But Microsoft isn’t the only player in the game. GitHub Copilot and JetBrains Copilot are also making strides, constantly learning from endless data to grow equally indispensable.

What is Copilot AI, and are all its forms equally good for optimizing daily business tasks? Which is better — an off-the-shelf solution or a custom-built copilot geared to your needs? In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of these smart machines, compare the different options, and help you decide which one is best for you.

written by:

Alexey Sliborsky

Solution Architect

What Is an AI Copilot: The Definition

An AI copilot is an intelligent chat interface designed to skyrocket user productivity. Based on artificial intelligence (AI) models, it excels in searching for information and generating and processing texts almost without human intervention. 

But copilot capabilities extend beyond text generation. It can analyze complex datasets, automate day-to-day operations, and create visual content based on simple descriptions. For developers, copilots can write and debug code in popular languages like Java, JavaScript, C#, C, and Python.

What Tech Underpins an AI Copilot

AI copilots rely on large language models (LLMs) such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), along with natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning technologies. These allow the machine to read and create human-like text, generate images, and perform creative tasks like writing jokes.

One of the most renowned copilots in the tech world is Microsoft Copilot. What’s at its core?

Its large language AI model is trained on public data and hosted on the Microsoft Cloud via Azure OpenAI services. You can browse your chats, documents, and files securely through Microsoft Graph. It guarantees your information remains private and is not used to train AI.

The great news is that Microsoft offers a powerful tool for building your own unique AI copilot — Azure AI Studio. While Microsoft Azure has long provided many services for developing AI solutions, developers used to juggle several tools and web portals within a single project. The introduction of Azure AI Studio has solved this problem. How does it accomplish this?

The service integrates the capabilities of Azure Machine Learning, the Azure OpenAI service, and other Azure AI tools. It has equipped IT teams with a centralized workspace where developers can collaborate with data scientists and other professionals to create custom AI solutions.

How AI Copilots Work

A copilot analyzes user input, context, and requests to provide relevant recommendations or perform tasks. Sometimes it can even predict your actions and offer solutions ahead of time.

Here’s a diagram of the entire process of how your prompt turns into an AI response, using Microsoft’s Copilot as an example:

What copilots can’t do? As Mark Thompson, Microsoft 365 Training Specialist, puts it:

“Copilot can only suggest content and create a draft for you to work on. You’ve still got to do your work, you’ve still got to bring the humanity to it — your knowledge, your judgement, and empathy, and all that other stuff.”

Major Perks of AI Copilots

Whether it’s a prebuilt copilot or a custom one, both aim to make the lives of their users easier. These AI assistants bring a bunch of benefits to the table, although not without their drawbacks. Let’s explore them.

Perk #1: Engagement and Creativity

In a 2023 Microsoft survey, 77% of Copilot users claimed they wouldn’t give it up. Why? 

AI copilots are a great source of original ideas and diverse perspectives. When you brainstorm for a marketing campaign, they can generate captivating concepts and taglines that your team may not have even considered. This approach can yield more dynamic content that will hook your audience.

Con: Clutter

AI helpers generate a treasure trove of ideas and content. However, this wealth can lead to information overload, making it tough to sift through. If not addressed promptly, this hampers productivity and focus.

Perk #2: Work-Related Productivity

Statista’s research shows Microsoft’s Copilot users complete tasks more than 70% faster than the baseline. This jump in productivity comes from the machine’s automated suggestions. They reduce the time and cognitive effort it takes to sort out complex problems.

Con: Reduced Human Interaction

As virtual assistants automate more tasks, team members get fewer opportunities to interact. This can undermine team spirit and cohesion. Solution? Strive for a balance between automation and collaboration to preserve a vibrant and creativity-filled work environment.

Perk #3: Informed Decision-Making Processes

You can access copilots when you’re uncertain about a decision. For example, AI systems can analyze current market conditions and key player performance to provide a well-rounded view of profitable business investments.

Con: Over-Reliance on AI

There’s a risk of becoming overly dependent on generative AI, potentially neglecting human intuition and critical thinking. What is the right approach then? Use AI chatbots as a resource that inspires, rather than substitutes, humans.

Perk #4: Personalized Assistance

Copilots learn from your preferences with every simple prompt. They can adjust suggestions and actions individually, whether recommending business papers or finding apps to manage resources more effectively. Double productivity, again.

Con: Privacy Concerns

Personalization means sharing personal data. This can raise privacy issues if not treated with due diligence. Strong data protection and transparency about information usage are key to user trust.

Perk #5: Continuous Learning and Improvement

Copilot AI helps you make smarter decisions and get a daily dose of inspiration. What does it charge you for this? Data. The machine constantly learns from user interactions as it seeks answers to their queries. 

Con: Data Dependency

Information brings not only knowledge but also dependency. AI-powered systems lean heavily on data, so inaccuracies or biases may affect output quality. To mitigate this risk, regularly review and update data sources.

Ready-Made vs. Custom AI Copilot

While the pros and cons of custom and off-the-shelf AI copilots are similar, some aspects set them apart. We’ve prepared a table outlining these differences.

Aspect

Off-the-Shelf Copilot

Custom Copilot

Development Time

Fast deployment, ready to use

Longer, as the team adjusts to specific customer requirements

Cost

Generally lower initial cost

Higher initial cost due to custom development

Customization

Limited options

Highly configurable to meet customer requirements

Focus

Broad general-purpose features

Industry-specific functionality

Maintenance

Vendor handles updates and maintenance

Requires dedicated resources for ongoing maintenance and updates

Scalability

Scalable, but within the limitations of the vendor’s platform

Fully scalable, designed to grow with customer demands

Integration

Pre-integrated with common tools and platforms

Custom integrations with existing systems and workflows

Performance

Optimized for general use cases

Optimized for specific use cases and performance requirements

Support

Standard vendor support

Custom support tailored to specific industry conditions

Security

Standard vendor-provided security measures

Custom security measures

Flexibility

Less flexible, constrained by vendor capabilities and roadmap

Highly flexible, can evolve to meet changing requirements

Updates

Regular updates provided by the vendor

Updates according to the customer’s schedule and requirements

Ownership

Limited control over the underlying technology

Full control over the technology and its evolution

Who Will Win with Custom AI Copilots? 

Still think an off-the-shelf AI solution is the best option? Think again. Custom AI Copilots, especially those built on Azure, offer the flexibility to address specific roles and tasks without being generic. Here’s how different users can benefit from their bespoke powers:

Individuals

If you’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or just striving to maximize your digital tools, a custom-built copilot can become your main man. 

Key benefits:

• Cross-device functionality. No matter what devices you work on, a copilot understands your environment and brings the right skills at the right time. On your PC, it can help you draft an email, create presentations, or analyze customer data in spreadsheets. If you’re on the phone, it can manage your schedule, send quick replies to messages, or find the nearest coffee shop when you need a boost before another video meeting.
• Web grounding. Copilots always have access to the latest data on the internet. Whether it’s the latest news or stock market updates, they know what’s trading right now in your industry. This is doubly useful for projects requiring current data.
• Personalization. Custom copilots are built to match your preferences and work style. This includes setting up the style of answers (formal or casual) or integrating with your favorite apps.
• Contextual awareness. What practical value does it bring? When you’re putting together a quote, a copilot can suggest industry terminology and relevant statistics.
• Voice commands. They can be a lifesaver for multitasking. Especially when you’re driving, or your hands are full.
• Smart recommendations. Time is still money. How can copilots help you save it? Based on your usage patterns, it suggests tools or techniques to simplify or speed up your workflow. 

Small Business Owners

What are the job duties of a typical SMB owner? Juggling dozens of responsibilities, from customer communication to financial analysis. Copilots understand the pains of today’s entrepreneurs and can ease them. Rather than getting buried in routine tasks, they allow you to focus on the essentials: your strategy for success. 

Key benefits:

• Customer communication. The machine can create personalized emails, respond to inquiries, and schedule follow-ups. As a result, every customer feels valued and heard.
• Financial analysis. Thanks to the web grounding, you can always access to accurate, up-to-date information. Thus, you get insights into your business performance and generate financial reports in seconds.
• Marketing materials. If you want to write daily social media posts, design flyers, or weekly newsletters, a copilot can help craft compelling materials that resonate with your audience.
• Business planning. Identifying new growth opportunities can be tough for a newbie. AI can help with this. Try using it to analyze market trends, understand clientele needs, and develop growth strategies.
• Routine task automation. Unwind a bit and set up a copilot to automate repetitive duties, like scheduling appointments or sending reminders. This reduces your workload and prevents errors. 
• Task prioritization. Calling a client or finally patching that bug? Copilot can help you rank tasks based on urgency and importance, so your team doesn’t get distracted.
• Continuous learning. If your competitors are always a step ahead, you may want to brush up on your knowledge. Your AI helper can provide relevant resources to keep your wit sharp.

Corporate Teams

For larger organizations, custom-built copilots offer high productivity and collaboration. 

Key benefits:

• Project management. A copilot plays a part in tracking project milestones, assigning tasks, and monitoring progress. Thoughtful prompts are all it takes to stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Reporting. Whether it’s financial reports or performance reviews, your AI assistant can quickly compile and format the necessary documents.
• Integration with the Microsoft Ecosystem. If needed, you can access Copilot in Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Designer, and other Office apps within Microsoft 365.
• Custom integrations. Apart from Microsoft, you can also integrate a copilot with your existing software and tools: CRM systems, ERP software, or specialized industry applications.
• Better collaboration. Large companies have crowds of employees. Azure copilots can help keep everyone in the loop. They will deliver real-time updates, share relevant documents, and suggest meeting times that work for everyone.
• Automated workflows. Bespoke copilots automate day-to-day duties within the work routine. AI helpers can free employees from approval processes, paperwork, and common support requests.

Software Developers

Recent statistics on GitHub Copilot reveal that developers using AI Copilots:

• Feel more productive (88%);
• Experience less frustration when coding (59%);
• Focus on more fulfilling work (74%);
• Complete tasks more quickly (88%);
• Handle repetitive tasks faster (96%).

What makes AI so helpful?

Key benefits:

• Code generation. An AI assistant can write code, generate functions, and suggest code snippets based on the context. Despite double-checks, a copilot speeds up development and reduces errors.
• Debugging assistance. Where there is code, there are bugs. AI can spot potential issues and recommend fixes. It saves hours of troubleshooting.
• Inspiration and creativity. When facing a hard-to-fix problem, the machine can offer multiple solutions. Thus, developers think outside the box by exploring alternative approaches.
• Learning and growth. No more long hunts for a book to master a new language or technology. Your AI assistant can compile a list of resources covering every aspect of a new topic.
• Documentation. This tedious process becomes a no-brainer, as a copilot can generate documentation for your code. As a bonus, it can explain complex parts in a way that makes sense to all team members.
• Seamless integration with development tools. IDEs (like Visual Studio), version control systems, and project management tools can get smarter with integrated Copilot AI.

When a Copilot Saves the Day: Use Cases

Copilots are universal helpers. Somewhere to a greater, somewhere to a lesser extent. What specific value can they bring to certain industries? Here are some practical examples:

Finance: Report Automation

How can we simplify the work of financial analysts? Help them cut down on mundane tasks. For example, reporting. You can ask a copilot to collect financial data from several sources, process it, and generate in-depth reports:

• Balance sheets;
• Income statements;
• Cash flow analysis. 

Take investment firms, for example. They can quickly compile quarterly performance audits. At the same time, banks can automate compliance reporting.

HR: Recruitment Assistant

With a copilot, the recruitment process becomes effective, unbiased, and highly personalized. AI scrutinizes resumes, not just skimming for keywords but understanding each candidate’s experience and skills. It matches these with job requirements to identify the best fit. An AI helper also prepares interview invitations, adding a personalized touch that sets a positive tone with candidates. 

Imagine a healthcare organization quickly recruiting top nurses or a startup finding the perfect marketing guru. By automating the interview process, a copilot allows HR professionals to focus on forming a vibrant, engaged workforce.

Customer Support: Automating Query Handling

Conversational AI can analyze incoming queries, identify common issues, and suggest response templates. It can automatically handle simple requests like password resets or order status inquiries. Meanwhile, more complex tasks are flagged for human operators and their creativity in problem-solving. For example, on an e-commerce platform, a copilot can respond to routine shipping-and-returns questions while human specialists resolve disputes or manage VIP customer accounts. 

Green Energy: Monitoring and Managing Energy Production

Can we make “green” energy “greener”? With a copilot, it’s possible. It analyzes real-time data from solar panels and wind turbines, predicting performance based on weather conditions like sunlight intensity or wind speed. AI optimizes energy distribution on the grid for efficiency and minimal waste.

Machine intelligence also assists in maintenance planning. It recommends the optimal repair time, like scheduling solar panel cleaning during low sunlight or wind turbine maintenance during calm periods. This preventative approach enhances the reliability of green energy systems and extends equipment life.

How Qulix Builds a Custom Copilot for You

The application options abound, right? Especially if you decide to develop a custom copilot adapted to your industry. The main tool our team uses to build such solutions is Microsoft Azure AI. Let’s explore what it offers and what services will make your future solution one-of-a-kind.

What Is Azure AI Studio?

Azure AI Studio is a comprehensive web portal that connects several Azure AI services into a single development environment, ensuring data integrity. Here’s what it offers:

• Model catalog and prompt flow development with Azure Machine Learning;
• Deployment, testing, and integration of Gen-AI models with Azure OpenAI;
• Integrated speech, vision, language, document intelligence, and content safety services through Azure AI Services;
• Launching Azure AI hubs as collaborative development workspaces where developers, data scientists, and others can create AI products and services;
• Integration with data sources and other cloud services;
• On-demand scalable computing;
• Web-based code development environments;
• SDKs and CLI libraries for automation.

A Quick Guide to Azure Services

Azure AI Search

Azure AI Search is an AI-based cloud service enhancing data search capabilities. It includes:

• Indexing — converts data into searchable indexes using JSON;
• Search queries — supports text, vector, and hybrid queries;
• Data analysis — uses lexical analysis and NLP to improve search relevance.

Azure OpenAI Service

Azure OpenAI Service provides access to OpenAI models through Microsoft Azure. It allows users to integrate advanced natural language processing and image generation models into their apps via Azure API.

The core technical aspects are:

• OpenAI Models — access to GPT-4, GPT-3.5, DALL-E, etc.;
• API — REST API for interacting with the models, supporting multiple programming languages;
• Privacy and security — built-in security and compliance features like data encryption and role-based access control (RBAC).
• Scalability — the ability to scale resources based on application load and requirements.
• Integration — support for integration with other Azure services like Azure Cognitive Services and Azure Machine Learning.

That’s not All

If you’re not leaning towards Microsoft services, our team has a pack of other tools at our disposal to build your custom copilot. Here are some of the top alternatives:

• Llama by Meta — a powerful tool for developing advanced large language models. Flexibility and high performance come with it.
• OpenAI GPTs — known for their exceptional language processing capabilities, these models are easy to customize for a wide range of industry applications.
• IBM Watson Assistant — this service offers robust conversational AI capabilities and integrates well with business systems.

In the Cockpit with Copilot

When you decide to incorporate AI into your team, whether through custom solutions or built-in options, a copilot can become your trusted sidekick. But remember, it isn’t about granting you extraordinary knowledge or skills. It is about awakening your inner creativity and making work feel less like work. It is a partnership in which you soar, and your copilot steers.

If you feel that a custom copilot is what you need for your business to thrive, we’re here to help you launch it. Contact our AI support squad today for a free consultation.

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