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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI assistant from Microsoft used in consumer, work, and developer settings.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI assistant from Microsoft that provides chat-based help for tasks such as writing, summarizing, coding, searching, and image generation. Launched in 2023, it is available across consumer, business, and developer products. Copilot is Microsoft’s branding for a family of AI assistant experiences that work through natural-language chat.

Overview

Copilot is Microsoft’s branding for AI assistants that work through natural-language chat. The term covers multiple products with different uses, including consumer, workplace, security, cloud, and developer tools.

Product family

Microsoft uses the Copilot name for several related offerings, including Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Security Copilot, and Azure Copilot. These products share a conversational interface but are tailored to different tasks and audiences.

Capabilities

Depending on the version, Copilot can generate text, summarize documents, answer questions, create images, assist with code, and help users work inside Microsoft apps. Microsoft describes it as supporting productivity, creativity, and data access.

Technology and integration

Microsoft says Copilot is built on advanced AI models and is integrated into Microsoft products and services, including Windows, Microsoft 365, and cloud tools. Some versions can use internet-based content and work content that users are permitted to access.

Key facts

  • Copilot is Microsoft’s name for a family of AI assistant experiences across its products.
  • Microsoft Copilot is aimed at everyday use, while Microsoft 365 Copilot is designed for work tasks in Microsoft 365 apps.
  • GitHub Copilot is a coding assistant that helps generate code and other programming-related outputs.
  • Copilot can assist with writing, summarizing, image generation, and answering questions.
  • Microsoft describes Copilot as using advanced AI and large language models to provide contextual assistance.
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Canadian context

Microsoft Copilot is available to Canadian users through Microsoft’s consumer, business, and developer products, including Microsoft 365 and GitHub, which are widely used in Canada.[12]

Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI assistant from Microsoft that provides chat-based help with tasks such as writing, searching, summarizing, coding, and image creation.
Is Copilot the same as Microsoft 365 Copilot?
No. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the work-focused version built into Microsoft 365 apps, while Microsoft Copilot is the broader consumer assistant brand.
What is GitHub Copilot?
GitHub Copilot is Microsoft’s coding assistant for developers. It helps generate code suggestions and supports programming workflows in development tools.
What can Copilot do?
Copilot can answer questions, draft text, summarize content, generate images, and in some versions help with coding and workplace tasks.
When was Microsoft Copilot launched?
Microsoft Copilot was launched in 2023 as Microsoft’s main generative AI assistant brand.

References

  1. Microsoft — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/organizations
    Supports: Copilot family, consumer/work/developer product distinctions, and product descriptions.
  2. Microsoft Learn — https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot/microsoft-365-copilot-overview
    Supports: Microsoft 365 Copilot purpose and use within Microsoft 365 apps.
  3. Microsoft — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/for-individuals
    Supports: Consumer Copilot features such as answering questions, writing help, and image creation.
  4. Microsoft — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/what-is-copilot
    Supports: General description of Copilot as an AI assistant that improves productivity.
  5. Microsoft — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/copilot-ai-agents
    Supports: Copilot as an AI-powered assistant providing real-time support and contextual guidance.
  6. Microsoft — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/organizations
    Supports: GitHub Copilot and other specialized Copilot offerings.
  7. Microsoft Azure — https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/copilot
    Supports: Azure Copilot description and cloud infrastructure focus.