✅ What you'll learn
- Microsoft Copilot uses OpenAI technology — the same as ChatGPT.
- Copilot is built into Windows 11, Edge, and Microsoft 365 apps.
- The free version at copilot.microsoft.com has web browsing enabled by default.
- Microsoft offers Copilot for Education with school-appropriate configurations.
💡 Perfect if you're thinking...
Microsoft Copilot is Microsoft's AI assistant, powered by technology from OpenAI (the same company behind ChatGPT). It is built into Windows, the Microsoft Edge browser, Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), and available free at copilot.microsoft.com. For students using Microsoft products at school, it is one of the most directly useful AI tools available.
What Most Parents (and Kids) Think About This
Many parents and kids have encountered Copilot without realising it — it is the AI button that has appeared in Windows, in Edge, and inside Microsoft Office products. Some families dismiss it as a corporate tool, not realising it is every bit as capable as ChatGPT for everyday learning tasks.
Others are not sure whether it is different from ChatGPT or just the same thing with a different name. That is a fair question, and the answer is: it is closely related (it uses OpenAI models), but it is configured and integrated differently.
What This Question Really Means for Your Family
"What is Microsoft Copilot?" usually means: I keep seeing this Copilot button — is it worth using? How is it different from ChatGPT?
Expert view: Sawan Kumar, founder of EvolvXAI and an AI trainer who works with businesses across Dubai and the UAE, advises: "Before adopting any AI tool, ask one question first — what specific problem am I solving? That single mindset shift makes every AI tool ten times more effective."
The Real Answer — Explained Simply
What Copilot is:
Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant that Microsoft has built into its products. Under the hood, it uses large language models from OpenAI — the same technology that powers ChatGPT. However, Microsoft has configured it specifically for its ecosystem and added features tied to its own products.
Where you find Copilot:
- copilot.microsoft.com — a free standalone chatbot, similar to using ChatGPT on the web
- Windows 11 — a Copilot button or sidebar available from the taskbar
- Microsoft Edge — built into the browser sidebar for browsing assistance
- Microsoft 365 — within Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook (requires a Microsoft 365 subscription for full features)
- Bing Search — Copilot powers the AI features in Microsoft's Bing search engine
What Copilot can do:
- Answer questions and hold conversations (like ChatGPT)
- Help write and edit documents in Word
- Summarise emails and draft replies in Outlook
- Suggest improvements to presentations in PowerPoint
- Help understand and analyse data in Excel
- Search the web and summarise current information (with web access)
For students:
Microsoft 365 is widely used in schools. If your child's school provides Microsoft 365 accounts, Copilot features may already be available to them through Word and other apps. Copilot within Word, for example, can help students:
- Get feedback on their writing
- Generate an outline for an essay
- Summarise a long document
Microsoft also offers Copilot for Education — a version with school-appropriate settings deployed by educational institutions.
Is it free?
The standalone Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com is free. Copilot within Microsoft 365 apps (Word, Excel, etc.) requires a Microsoft 365 subscription. Many school accounts include this.
How is it different from ChatGPT?
Copilot and ChatGPT use similar underlying technology but are packaged differently. Copilot is deeply integrated into Microsoft products, making it more convenient if you live in the Microsoft ecosystem. ChatGPT is a standalone product with its own app ecosystem. For general chat, they perform very similarly.
Step-by-Step: Using Copilot for Free Right Now
- Open a web browser and go to copilot.microsoft.com.
- You can use it without logging in, or log in with a Microsoft account.
- Type your question or request in the chat box.
- Copilot will respond and, by default, has web access — so it can reference current information.
- Try: "Explain [topic] simply for a Year 7 student."
Facts You Should Know (Updated June 2026)
- Microsoft Copilot uses OpenAI technology — the same as ChatGPT.
- Copilot is built into Windows 11, Edge, and Microsoft 365 apps.
- The free version at copilot.microsoft.com has web browsing enabled by default.
- Microsoft offers Copilot for Education with school-appropriate configurations.
- Like all AI tools, Copilot can make mistakes and should be fact-checked for important information.
- For children under 13, the same parental supervision principles apply as with any AI chatbot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Copilot just ChatGPT with a different name?
They use similar technology, but Copilot is configured and integrated specifically for Microsoft's products. The standalone chat versions are very similar; where Copilot stands out is its deep integration into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
My child's school uses Microsoft — should they use Copilot instead of ChatGPT?
If the school has Microsoft 365, Copilot features may already be available within their school apps. For schoolwork in Word, Copilot's in-document integration is particularly convenient.
Is Copilot safe for kids?
Similar safety considerations as ChatGPT — minimum age 13 for independent use, parental involvement recommended. Microsoft's education version (Copilot for Education) has additional appropriate-use controls.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft Copilot is a powerful, largely free AI assistant built into the tools millions of families already use. For students in the Microsoft ecosystem, it is the most seamless AI tool available. Its capabilities match ChatGPT for most everyday tasks, and its integration with Word and other Office apps makes it especially practical for schoolwork.
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