2023 was a 12 months of fast development in generative AI. We picked up a brand new vocabulary—prompting, iteration, “usefully mistaken.” We lowered digital debt—that pileup of information, emails, conferences, and notifications that retains us from getting actual work executed. And we obtained extra productive, artistic, and saved time—each individually and as organizations.

Alongside the best way, we discovered quite a bit about how Microsoft Copilot will change work. In a survey of our Early Entry Program, 70 % of Copilot customers stated it made them extra productive, and 68 % stated it improved the standard of their work. Early customers stated Copilot helped them get their work executed faster: 85 % stated they have been in a position to get to a very good first draft quicker, and 64 % stated it helped them spend much less time processing electronic mail.

As a frontrunner on the heart of generative AI right here at Microsoft, Colette Stallbaumer has been studying how you can harness the ability of Copilot alongside our prospects and companions. Right here, the Normal Supervisor of Microsoft 365 & Way forward for Work shares her favourite Copilot suggestions of the previous 12 months.

1. Let Copilot remedy the post-meeting muddle.

Too typically, nobody outlines subsequent steps on the finish of a gathering, leaving tasks at a standstill. To maintain your work shifting ahead, ask Copilot in Microsoft Groups for a bulleted listing of motion gadgets, together with who’s liable for every. You may even ask Copilot to draft an electronic mail to your colleagues with the listing to ensure everyone seems to be on top of things.

2. Get the chief abstract—each time.

It will probably really feel unimaginable to maintain up with all of the paperwork, shows, and emails it is advisable to learn every single day. To get the TL;DR, ask Copilot to “clarify this doc/electronic mail/deck in three sentences.” In seconds, it’s going to look by means of the doc, discover crucial data, and offer you a quick overview.

3. Compensate for conferences in a fraction of the time.

Double booked? We all know the sensation. Should you miss a gathering, ask Copilot in Groups what key factors have been mentioned. Copilot will define the essential takeaways so you possibly can skip watching that recording on 2x velocity. And in the event you’re operating late, simply ask Copilot, “what did I miss within the assembly to date?” to get a abstract of what’s occurred.

4. Shortly whip your deck into presentation-ready form.

You’ve created a PowerPoint presentation primarily based on an array of paperwork, emails, and spreadsheets. Within the Earlier than Occasions, you’d should undergo the deck slide by slide to ensure every thing appeared crisp and constant. Now, simply ask Copilot to “make all fonts Segoe UI” or “make all headings dimension 18-point.” Typically it’s the smallest issues that prevent priceless time.

5. Summarize lengthy electronic mail threads.

Once you’re getting back from day without work, that mountain in your inbox can really feel like Everest. As an alternative of studying every electronic mail that got here by means of when you have been out, use Copilot to shortly summarize a protracted electronic mail thread by choosing “Abstract by Copilot.” It’ll scan the thread to determine key factors and last selections that will help you stand up to hurry faster. So go forward, take that PTO day—you deserve it.

This text first appeared within the WorkLab e-newsletter. Be the primary to get our updates by subscribing right here .