Student Guide to Generative AI: Microsoft Copilot
What is Copilot?
Microsoft Copilot with Data Protection is an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity and creativity. The “data protection” aspect of the tool refers to the security measures and privacy controls in place to safeguard user information. Free generative AI tools commonly do not treat user-provided information as private. Copilot is a good alternative to ChatGPT because it uses the same underlying technology but is licensed for UNC affiliates and includes data protection. It also provides references for its responses.
Getting started with Copilot
Tar Heels can access Copilot directly or as part of the Microsoft Bing search engine.
Before you start using Copilot, sign in with your UNC account. You’ll log in by using onyen@ad.unc.edu as your email address, as when logging into Heelmail or other online Microsoft 365 products. When you are logged into the enterprise version with data protection, you’ll see a “protected” badge next to your user profile picture.
Currently, Microsoft Copilot supports Microsoft Edge (desktop and mobile app) and Chrome (desktop). Microsoft Edge is the preferred browser.