Navigating the Future of AI Assistance: A Deep Dive into Windows Copilot
Introduction
It’s fair to say that there’s some AI fatigue amongst the general population. The market, once a playground of innovation, is starting to resemble a thrift store where one must sift through clutter to find gems. Amidst this saturation, Microsoft is strategically and slowly introducing Microsoft Copilot, a feature in Windows 11 that promises to redefine our interaction with personal computing. But is it just another tool, or does it offer something genuinely groundbreaking? Let’s explore one of the many Copilots available; the Windows Copilot.
What is Windows Copilot?
Windows Copilot is an AI-powered personal assistant seamlessly integrated into Windows 11. It’s the first PC platform to offer centralised AI assistance, setting it apart from its competitors. With Bing Chat plugins, Copilot allows users to complete tasks without the hassle of navigating through multiple tabs and windows.
Practical Applications: From Mundane to Game-Changing
Drafting Emails
If you’ve used ChatGPT to help you draft an email, you’ll know how to use Copilot to do the same thing. The main difference between the two is that Copilot is readily available on the side of your screen, so you never have to navigate away to another window.
Document Editing
Beyond basic editing, Copilot can search for relevant content to include in your document, thanks to its Bing Chat capabilities.
Navigating Settings
Not the most exciting feature, but a very handy one! As Windows evolved so did the layout of standard menus. The settings aren’t as easy to find, and some are so superbly hidden that you find yourself combing through each menu option two or three times to find it. With Copilot, you can describe the setting you’re after (or the problem you’re trying to solve) and let it do the heavy lifting.
Workflow Automation
For efficiency enthusiasts, Copilot introduced ‘Edit with Copilot,’ a feature that allows you to create custom workflows through natural language expressions. Imagine connecting all your Microsoft apps into a single, cohesive workflow without installing custom software.
A Serendipitous Discovery: Localised Web Search
While using Microsoft Edge, Copilot offers the option to limit your search to the tabs you have open. This feature, though initially underappreciated, proved invaluable for focused research, narrowing down results to the most relevant information.
The pros and cons
It’s important to note that this feature has been released with limited functionality so the list of pros and cons is restricted to the current user experience. Once Microsoft unleashes the full capabilities of this feature, we will revisit Copilot and compare the user experience.
Pros
- Enhanced Productivity: Integrated into Microsoft 365, Copilot offers real-time assistance without requiring you to switch windows.
- Ease of Use: If you’ve interacted with ChatGPT or any chatbot, you’ll find Copilot intuitive and user-friendly.
Cons
- Accuracy: Copilot sometimes struggles with context, unlike ChatGPT.
- Screen Real Estate: On smaller screens, Copilot can be visibly distracting as it takes up a significant portion of the display.
