What is an AI Copilot?
Traditionally, a “copilot” refers to the second-in-command in an airplane cockpit, assisting the pilot. However, in the world of artificial intelligence (AI), the term “copilot” has taken on new significance. Today, AI copilots are generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Einstein Copilot, designed to streamline your work by sitting “in the second chair,” automating routine tasks, and allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
Defining an AI Copilot
An AI copilot is essentially an AI assistant that helps you complete everyday tasks more quickly. While the concept became widely known with the launch of GitHub Copilot in 2021, the roots of AI copilots go back to the 1990s with early chatbots like ELIZA and virtual assistants like IKEA’s Anna. The difference today lies in their advanced capabilities. Imagine setting up a client dinner without switching between multiple apps — your AI copilot handles everything in the background with a simple command like, “Book dinner with Ted next Thursday.”
The AI copilot reduces time-consuming steps by integrating actions across various platforms. These systems autonomously manage tasks by processing your requests, planning the best course of action, and executing them — saving you from navigating multiple apps.
How Does an AI Copilot Work?
AI copilots operate using “copilot actions,” which can be single tasks or a sequence of tasks. For example, they can update CRM records, generate product descriptions, summarize meeting notes, or assist customer service agents. These tasks are autonomously arranged and executed, making the copilot more capable with each interaction.
When you issue a command, like booking dinner, the AI copilot accesses relevant data, clarifies any necessary details, and manages the entire process with minimal input from you. What sets advanced AI copilots apart is their ability to integrate deeply with your business data, providing more contextually relevant assistance.
Types of AI Copilots
While Chatbots have been around for a while, modern AI copilots go beyond answering basic questions. Tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Bing Chat are examples of this evolution, helping users craft content, analyze data, and more. Companies like Salesforce, Microsoft, and GitHub have launched their own copilots, and industry-specific solutions are emerging in sectors like real estate, healthcare, and finance.
The key difference lies in how these AI copilots interact with data and metadata. The metadata, like tags defining specific data points (e.g., a customer’s name), allows for smarter and more accurate responses. A powerful AI copilot connects seamlessly with structured and unstructured data sources, making it indispensable for your daily workflow.
Why Use an AI Copilot?
While large language models (LLMS) like GPT-4 are useful, they’re often limited to public data and may be outdated. AI copilots, on the other hand, can access your business’s trusted data, allowing them to deliver highly relevant customer service answers, manage bookings, and even send personalized gifts. Whether you’re a marketer, healthcare professional, or finance expert, AI copilots offer unmatched efficiency by orchestrating numerous actions to simplify complex workflows.
In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, these copilots are designed to help you navigate the complexities of modern work, making you more productive across industries. With AI copilots by your side, routine tasks are handled with ease, enabling you to engage with your data in more meaningful and conversational ways.
We didn’t invent the term “fools with tools.” Still, it’s a perfect definition for the practice of buying a stack of sophisticated cybersecurity technology that’s impossible to manage without an MSP or the budget of a Fortune 500 IT department.