CIOs not entirely sold on generative AI copilots

Considering the benefits

Copilot, and similar AI agents, can generate entire documents from short prompts, create slide presentations, automate repetitive tasks, pull together information from multiple sources, and summarize emails, chats, and meetings for employees flooded with all three, Microsoft says. Copilot can automatically assign tasks when an employee promises to do something in a meeting or an email.

Microsoft also offers Copilot for specific roles, like sales and security, with Copilot for Security summarizing incidents, conducting impact analysis, and providing guided response to incidents.

Microsoft has been touting the value of Copilot, saying the AI assistant makes 70% of users more productive. More than three-quarters of those answering a survey from Microsoft say they don’t want to give Copilot up once they’ve used it, and 85% said the AI tool helps them produce a first draft faster.

Three quarters of those surveyed say Copilot saves them time by helping to search their files, according to a November report from Microsoft.

“As use of generative AI at work spreads, the real opportunity is to not only transform personal productivity but lift the capability of the entire organization,” the report says. “Copilot sets a new baseline — one where every employee gains the skills to write, design, code, analyze data, and more. And it amplifies expertise, taking work from good to exceptional.” 

The fear of the blank page

Many of those surveyed by Microsoft aren’t paying the bill, however. While some CIOs and other tech leaders believe in the future of AI assistants, the functionality isn’t quite there yet, some say.