A copilot is an application that uses AI and a large language model (and has a conversational interface) to assist users in completing tasks. Think of it as your digital assistant. That’s why it’s called a “copilot.”
But let’s go into more detail…
Copilots will become as widespread as websites are today, if not more significant.
Just think. With the rise of generative AI, there are so many possibilities ahead of how it can revolutionize businesses – both to improve the overall customer experience, leading to more purchases and repeat customers, and transforming how we work by automating workflows and streamlining operations.
Let’s start with the basics:
- Generative AI: Generates new content – for example: text, images, audio, and video – as its primary output based on what it’s learned from the existing data. It relies on a large language model. When a user enters a prompt, they will be given a response from the system.
- Large language model (LLM): This model is fed with trillions of content, which could be web pages, articles, code, etc. – so it’s trained on a lot of data.
- Prompt: Think of this as instructions given to the AI model. The quality of the input equals the quality of the output, so you want to be specific and provide context. This will give instructions to your copilot.
So, what exactly is a copilot? As said above, it’s an app that uses AI and a large language model to assist users in completing tasks and decision making. It has a conversational interface, so it looks like a chatbot but is much more advanced. Think of it as your digital assistant. Or, in some industries, such as travel and hospitality, it acts like a digital concierge. We know a copilot as the second in command of an airplane, which makes sense, because while you’re in control, the digital copilot is there to assist. It can:
- Answer questions: It understands the user’s intent and will provide relevant answers.
- Automate tasks: It automates tasks freeing up time for individuals to focus on strategic and creative work.
- Multilingual capabilities: It understands multiple languages so it can respond to the user in their language of choice.
- Connects enterprise systems: It works with and pulls data from other enterprise systems.
Companies that have gone live with copilots:
- GitHub: Markets their copilot as the “AI pair programmer,” and acts like a coding partner. Some engineers call it their “buddy” to help them write code.
- Microsoft 365 Copilot: Capable of creating PowerPoint presentations from just a proposal document, summarizing spreadsheet data trends, and assisting in writing emails.
- Khan Academy’s Khanmigo: Serves as a tutor for students and an aid for teachers, guiding students in problem-solving and assisting teachers in lesson planning.
Organizations across all industries – Education, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profits & Associations, Technology & Services, Travel & Hospitality, etc. – have gone live with websites to promote their brand and educate customers. Now, copilots can further enhance customer experience, offering personalized assistance across digital channels.
Let’s take a look at how a copilot, acting like a chatbot on your website, can be transformative in different industries:
- Education: On a university’s website, a copilot can answer questions from prospective students and guide them through the application process, such as what is missing from their application, or for current students, help them select classes, providing a personalized experience.
- Manufacturing: For a company that manufactures consumer products, a copilot can assist customers in choosing the right products based on their specific needs and preferences. Once the product is purchased, it can answer any questions the customer may have, such as product assembly, thus preventing returns.
- Media & Entertainment: On a movie theater’s website, a copilot can recommend movies tailored to user preferences and facilitate ticket bookings.
- Travel & Hospitality: On a hotel chain’s website, a copilot can suggest resorts based on past stays and personal preferences, and handle room bookings.
Copilots can also be integrated into customer support platforms, answering product-related queries, or serving as an internal resource for employee inquiries about procedures and policies.
Are you interested in a copilot for your organization? Get in touch to explore how a copilot can transform your business!