Definition
What this term means
Microsoft's AI assistant platform, integrated across Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Windows, Bing, and Edge. Copilot uses a combination of GPT models and Microsoft's proprietary technology to help users with tasks ranging from web search and content creation to data analysis and workflow automation. In enterprise settings, Copilot can access internal company data and external web sources.
Why it matters
The business impact
Microsoft Copilot's integration into the Microsoft ecosystem gives it direct access to enterprise decision-makers during their working day. When a procurement professional asks Copilot to research vendors, or a manager asks it to compare solutions, Copilot's recommendations directly influence B2B purchasing decisions. Brands targeting enterprise and B2B markets cannot afford to be invisible in Copilot's responses.
Used in context
How you might use this term
“An enterprise software vendor discovered that Microsoft Copilot was recommending competitors when users asked for solutions in their category. By strengthening their presence on Microsoft-affiliated platforms (LinkedIn, Microsoft Learn, Bing), and improving their structured data, they began appearing in Copilot recommendations within their target enterprise segment.”
Related terms
Explore connected concepts
Conversational AI
AI systems designed to engage in natural, human-like dialogue, including chatbots, voice assistants, and AI search interfaces. Conversational AI encompasses everything from simple FAQ bots to sophisticated assistants like ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa that can understand context, follow multi-turn conversations, and provide personalised recommendations based on user intent.
AI Agent
An autonomous AI system that can plan, execute multi-step tasks, make decisions, and take actions on behalf of a user, such as researching products, comparing options, booking services, or making purchases. Unlike simple chatbots, AI agents can browse the web, use tools, and complete complex workflows with minimal human intervention.
LLM
A type of artificial intelligence model trained on vast datasets of text to understand, generate, and reason about human language. LLMs power the AI assistants and generative search tools, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, that are rapidly becoming the primary way people discover products, services, and information online.