Understanding ChatGPT vs M365 Copilot vs Copilot for Edge

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already become an integral part of our digital experience, enhancing productivity and providing tailored assistance in various forms…and we’ve only scratched the surface. Among the leading innovations in this space are ChatGPT by OpenAI and Microsoft’s Copilot solutions, which include paid options for Microsoft 365 (and every other Microsoft product under the sun) and the free version now included within the Edge browser. Each of these technologies, while sharing a common foundation in AI, serves unique purposes and offers distinct functionalities. I thought I’d point out some of the key similarities and differences:

ChatGPT: The Conversational AI

Developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022, ChatGPT stands out as a state-of-the-art natural language processing technology. It’s built on machine learning, deep learning, natural language understanding, and generation, enabling it to answer questions and engage in conversations effectively. ChatGPT excels in mimicking human conversation, understanding queries, and responding in an engaging, conversational manner.

Key Features:

• Composes essays, emails, cover letters.
• Creates lists, detailed art descriptions, and codes.
• Summarizes content, crafts poems, song lyrics, and resumes.

Limitations:

• Unlike search engines, ChatGPT lacks real-time internet search capabilities, potentially limiting its access to the most current information.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Your Personalized Digital Assistant

Microsoft 365 Copilot elevates the concept of a digital assistant by integrating large language models (LLMs) with personal data from the Microsoft Graph. This includes calendars, emails, chats, documents, and more, all within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Unlike ChatGPT, it’s not just a conversational AI but a tool that turns words into actions, leveraging the vast array of Microsoft 365 apps.

Advantages:

• Provides up-to-date information, making it ideal for tasks related to current events.
• Seamlessly integrates with personal and work data in Microsoft 365.

Disadvantages:

• Cost. Microsoft announced general availability (GA) at $30 per user/month
• 300 seat threshold. For the time being, only larger organizations can leverage this technology.

Copilot in Edge: AI-Powered Browsing Experience

The integration of Copilot in the Microsoft Edge browser marks a significant advancement. It uses GPT-4 for enhanced conversations, offering a more powerful and accurate AI experience than ChatGPT. This solution is designed to boost productivity within the Microsoft ecosystem. And it’s free!

Unique Features:

• Contextual understanding of webpages and PDFs for relevant responses.
• Summarizes documents, including PDFs and lengthy web content.
• Compares products and creates comparative tables right in the sidebar.
• Accesses information without switching tabs or windows.
• Integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem for personalized assistance.
• Ensures data protection during sessions.

GPT-4: The Foundation of Modern AI Solutions

GPT-4, the latest from OpenAI, is a cornerstone of all three of these AI solutions. It’s a highly advanced system with remarkable reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities.

Capabilities:

• Advanced reasoning and accurate problem-solving.
• Enhanced creativity in writing tasks, including songs and screenplays.
• Improved safety and factual response rates.
• Multimodal capabilities with visual input and longer context.
• Training incorporates extensive human feedback for better alignment.

Note:
Despite its advancements, GPT-4, like any AI, has limitations and should be used with responsibility.

Which To Use?

Microsoft is set to broaden its AI offerings, embedding Copilot solutions into various aspects of our digital world. Beyond Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot for Edge, we can expect a surge of AI-driven tools across multiple platforms and industries, making digital experiences more intuitive and personalized. This expansion is part of Microsoft’s strategy to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday technology, reshaping how we interact with our digital tools.

The introduction of these AI services will come with costs, but I would argue that the benefits they offer are likely to encourage rapid adoption. Businesses will find value in the increased efficiency and better decision-making AI provides, leading to potential cost savings. For individual users, the promise of saving time and enhancing productivity will be a key motivator.

As these AI tools become more integral to our daily tasks, their practicality will become even more evident, paving the way for a new era of technology use in both our personal and professional lives.