Technology Tips – Published January 2024 in the Guide and Digest
By Don Trauger – Kennett
Topic: Microsoft’s New AI Tool – Copilot
COPILOT. What is it? It is Microsoft’s introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to users of Windows 10 and Windows 11. This is the main update feature of Windows 11’s 2023 Fall Update. It is something you should try, so you can understand what Copilot and AI can and can’t do.
Windows 11 Copilot icon is located on the Taskbar, just to the right of the search box. It has a banner that says PRE. Windows 10 places it on the right side the Taskbar. Click the PRE icon or press the Windows key + C key to start it. Ignore the “Creative,” “Balanced,” and “Precise” choices, as they don’t have any special impact on Copilot’s responses. At the bottom of the window that slides in from the right, click the blue circle with the white + sign. Then click the microphone icon to the right and speak normally. When you’re done click the right arrow below the microphone to submit your question. In a few seconds the answer in text format will start at the top of the main window followed by a verbal response of that text. You can also type your question in the “Ask me anything“ space. However, a typed question will lack any verbal response. Asking your question in different ways will obviously give you somewhat different answers.
Although it can answer questions don’t treat it as a search engine. What Copilot is best at is answering questions that involve opinions and analysis, so compose your questions so they request more details, instead of plain answers. Be creative. For example, instead of asking Copilot Who will win the Super bowl? ask it: What are the chances the Eagles will win the Super bowl? Try it and see. Copilot’s not always objectively right, but it will cite its sources, via footnotes and links.
Copilot will also accept photos or images as input, and answer questions about them. Copilot uses Bing as a search engine, so it stays up to date. You can ask it to draw images, too.
Keep in mind you can’t be 100 percent sure it’s correct in its responses.
The annoying thing is that Copilot doesn’t easily tell you what you can or can’t do, which makes it an exercise in some experimentation. Still, Copilot is an AI tool you should know about.