What Is Microsoft Copilot and How Does It Work?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 apps (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and more) that enhances productivity by understanding natural language prompts to generate content, automate tasks, analyze data, and facilitate real-time collaboration.

It works by leveraging large language models (LLMs), including OpenAI’s GPT-4 and GPT-5, combined with Microsoft’s proprietary models, to interpret user input and provide intelligent, context-aware responses. Copilot accesses user data securely through Microsoft Graph, which connects to emails, documents, chats, and calendar information, enabling personalized and relevant assistance based on the user’s work context.

Key technical aspects include:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): Copilot understands user intent expressed in everyday language, allowing users to ask questions, request summaries, or generate documents without needing technical commands.
• Task Automation: It automates repetitive or complex tasks such as drafting emails, creating reports, generating code snippets, scheduling meetings, and summarizing long email threads or meetings.
• Integration Across Microsoft 365: Copilot operates seamlessly within familiar Microsoft apps, enabling users to switch between tasks like writing in Word, analyzing data in Excel, or preparing presentations in PowerPoint without losing context.
• Real-Time Collaboration: It supports team productivity by providing meeting summaries, action items, and insights during collaborative sessions in Teams.
• AI Model Execution: Copilot uses GPUs and CPUs for AI inference and can leverage neural processing units (NPUs) in modern Intel and AMD processors to efficiently run AI workloads locally on devices.

Additionally, Microsoft offers Copilot Chat, an AI chat interface that provides conversational access to Copilot’s capabilities, including file upload, image generation, and integration with enterprise data, enhancing interactive productivity.

In summary, Microsoft Copilot acts as a smart, context-aware AI assistant embedded within Microsoft’s productivity ecosystem, designed to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and boost efficiency by combining advanced AI models with deep integration into user data and Microsoft 365 applications.