Copilot Key to Microsoft Office: Check how Microsoft plans to integrate Copilot AI into Windows

Microsoft has announced the addition of a special “Copilot” key on select new Windows keyboards. Find out how it works in Microsoft Office and Windows.

Microsoft introduces its AI – Copilot button on the keyboard.

New Delhi: In an effort to integrate the latest AI into the Windows ecosystem, Microsoft has announced the addition of a dedicated ‘Copilot’ key on select new Windows keyboards. This marks the first major physical change to the standard keyboard layout since the introduction of the Windows key in the 1990s. The tech giant’s move signals its aim to provide a unique experience to its users, by making its AI accessible and easy to use.

Meet Microsoft’s Copilot AI

For anyone new to ‘Copilot’ development, here’s a refresher. The Microsoft Copilot, formerly known as Bing Chat, is a suite of AI-powered tools designed to increase your productivity. It works in several of our everyday apps, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, providing real-time assistance on demand. Recently, Microsoft’s Copilot had caught its attention by providing access to features typically found in paid tiers of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 4 and DALL-E models in the Android and iOS app stores.

What is the Copilot key?

The all-new Copilot key is located near the spacebar and activates Microsoft’s AI assistant – Copilot, which was previously only accessible via voice commands or by clicking the icon on the taskbar. With the new key, users can simply press a button once and activate Copilot AI and use its features to:

Search and help: Get instant answers to your questions, perform quick calculations, and receive context-based, relevant suggestions for tasks and documents.
Creative tools: Generate various creative text formats, such as poems, code, scripts, music pieces and more.
Productivity improvements: Automate repetitive tasks, manage your schedule and receive notifications and reminders: all smart work done by the AI.

Impact on users

The Copilot key will initially appear on select new personal computers manufactured by Microsoft’s partners, with wider availability expected later in 2024. This gradual rollout will allow users to provide their feedback and refine Copilot integration within the keyboard ecosystem.

It’s likely that the Copilot key could have a significant impact on user interactions with Windows by making AI assistance more readily available. This means it can change the way users approach tasks and manage their workflow.

Other AI applications

As Microsoft integrates AI into its platform, here are some more initiatives on how AI is being used by the company

Azure AI platform: This cloud-based platform provides companies with access to a range of AI tools and services, allowing them to develop and deploy their own AI solutions.
Microsoft research: Microsoft’s research teams are continually pushing the boundaries of AI, exploring areas such as natural language processing, computer vision and robotics.
Ethical AI development: Microsoft emphasizes responsible AI development, emphasizing transparency, fairness and accountability in its AI initiatives.

As AI is rapidly integrated into our lives, it is also up to us to regulate ourselves and use the tool carefully, intended for the right purposes.