About AI tools and CoPilot
Windows AI tools and Copilot are designed to help you get things done more easily by using artificial intelligence (AI). They are built into Windows or readily available within Microsoft apps, so you don’t need to install complex software to start using them.
At a simple level, these tools can help you write, summarise, organise information, and complete tasks more quickly. You interact with them using natural language—just type what you need or ask a question, and they respond in plain English.
Why AI tools are useful
- Save time: by using them to automate repetitive tasks
- Reduce effort: by using them to support you with writing, summarising text, and organising your tasks
- Improve confidence: by helping you to get started and express your ideas clearly
- Flexible: they can be used in different ways depending on your individual needs
AI tools in Windows
Key features include:
- Microsoft Copilot: A built-in assistant that can help with writing, summarising documents, generating ideas, explaining information, and guiding you through tasks.
- AI in Microsoft 365 apps (like Word, Outlook, and Teams): Helps draft emails, summarise long content, create documents, and organise notes.
- Windows accessibility features with AI support: Tools like voice typing, live captions, and text prediction use AI to improve accuracy and usability.
Who they can support
These tools can benefit a wide range of people, especially by reducing effort, simplifying tasks, and supporting different ways of thinking and working.
Neurodivergent users
AI tools can be especially helpful for people who:
- Process information differently, for example people with ADHD or Autism
- Find it difficult to start or structure writing tasks
- Feel overwhelmed by large amounts of information
You can use the tools to:
- Break down complex content into simpler summaries
- Help turn rough ideas into clear writing
- Suggest structure for documents or emails
- Reduce cognitive load by handling repetitive or organisational tasks
Dyslexia and other learning differences
- The tools can support you with spelling, grammar, and sentence structure
- They allows you to focus on ideas rather than writing mechanics
- Can rephrase text into simpler language
Mobility or physical impairments
- The tools reduce the need for typing through voice input and dictation
- They can help to speed up tasks like writing emails or forms. For example you can get started quickly with AI-generated drafts, which you can edit to suit what you would like to say
- The tools can be used alongside adaptive hardware like switches or voice control
Visual impairments
- The tools work alongside screen readers
- They can summarise long content to make it quicker to navigate
- They can describe or explain content in simpler terms
Fatigue, brain fog, or cognitive impairments
These tools can help to reduce mental effort by:
- Summarising documents and meetings
- Generating quick responses
- Acting as a “thinking partner” for planning or decision-making
What is a prompt?
A “prompt” is the question you ask the AI tool. It is important to be specific about the outcome you are trying to achieve. You can use several sentences in your prompt if you need to, and you might need to send more than one prompt depending on what you are using it for.
Think about what you want it to provide you, which is known as the “goal”, and where it should look to find the answer, which is known as the “source”.
If it does not reply with a response you were expecting, try adjusting your wording to be clearer about what you would like it to do, and provide more details if you can.
These tools usually understand spelling mistakes and typos well, and you can use your natural speaking style for the wording.
Here is an example prompt in Copilot chat, that includes a “goal” and “source”:
Write a summary of the emails Sam sent me over the past two weeks.
The summary is the “goal” of what you want the AI to provide you, and the emails from Sam are the “source” it is going to go and read to answer you.
And here is a more comprehensive example that includes a goal, context, and the expectations:
Draft an outline of a training manual about time management. Our audience is professionals who work in a hybrid environment and constantly need to attend virtual meetings and meet deadlines. The tone of the document will be friendly and suggestive.
Tip: You can see in the example above that you can tell the AI what tone of voice to reply in, for example “professional”, “casual”, or aim it to a specific age range. It can be helpful to remind it to use UK English as it is an American tool and they spell some words differently.
Fun activity: Ask CoPilot to summarise your week in the style of a pirate sea-shanty, or comedy roast for a bit of fun!
Responsible AI use
AI tools can also carry significant data protection risks, so it is important to understand and agree to your employer’s AI policy before you begin using the tools.
Learn more about CoPilot
- For more information visit the Windows CoPilot website.
- They have also created a useful Guide to getting started with CoPilot prompts.