10 Q&As on Copilot & your data

We hear the word Copilot very often these days. We know that it is a powerful tool that enhances productivity, but understanding how it interacts with data is crucial. By implementing proper privacy settings, data governance policies, and security measures, you can safely benefit from AI-powered assistance while minimizing risks. Here, we will cover some interesting Copilot questions regarding your data and Copilot interaction.

I have been testing and working with Copilot (for M365) for the past period and also working with users which have many questions around it. This is the reason I decided to collect some of the most frequently asked questions, and provide some answers here.

  1. Is it compliant with data privacy regulations?
  2. How does Copilot use my data?
  3. Does Copilot retain or store the history of my search?
  4. Can Copilot access sensitive or confidential data?
  5. Does Copilot learn from my data?
  6. How can I control my data when using Copilot?
  7. Will using Copilot replace human workers?
  8. Does Copilot store individual search data?
  9. Can Copilot be customized for specific business needs?
  10. How many types of Copilots exist?

Is Copilot compliant with data privacy regulations?

Number 1 Copilot questions is this questions. And the answer is: Yes, definitely, because the Copilot complies with data privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, and other industry standards) to keep user data secure. Also, Microsoft provides you extra security and compliance options for organizations, in order to ensure that your data governance needs are met.

How does Copilot use my data?

When you ask Copilot a question, then it processes your input in real-time to generate relevant responses. But, it is important to be mentioned that it does not permanently store personal data unless explicitly permitted by the user. You can also adjust privacy settings to limit data sharing and control their interactions with Copilot.

Does Copilot retain or store the history of my search?

By default, Copilot does not retain or store your inputs in a way that can identify individuals. But, in some enterprise or developer settings, logs may be retained temporarily for service improvement, debugging, and security (these logs are typically anonymized and follow strict security measures). Worth to mention is that if the privacy is a main concern, users can adjust Copilot settings to restrict data retention or disable logging.

Does Copilot learn from my data and my inputs?

Copilot does not learn from individual user data, but it relies on a pre-trained model. This model is periodically updated. This ensures that your interactions remain private and are not used for further training.

How can I control my data when using Copilot?

You can manage the data through Microsoft’s privacy settings. You can also disable Copilot for certain applications, restricting data access, and reviewing policies related to AI interactions.

Will using Copilot replace human workers?

This question was one of the most frequently discussed points in my surroundings, when Copilot was launched. And, the answer is: No. Copilot is designed to assist you in your productivity, and not replace your jobs. It helps automate repetitive tasks and provides intelligent suggestions, allowing you to focus on more complex and creative work.

Does Copilot store individual search data?

Yes and No. Not in a way that can personally identify users, but some organizations may have temporary logging enabled for auditing, debugging, or for security reasons.

Can Copilot be customized for specific business needs?

Sure, it can be customized. Users can integrate Copilot with their internal tools, databases, and workflows, allowing it to provide tailored suggestions and automation (example: configure the permissions to control who can use Copilot and what data it can access, Integrate Copilot with Power Platform, Microsoft Teams, or other enterprise software to enhance workflows etc.)

How many types of Copilots exist?

There are several types of Microsoft Copilots, each designed for different applications and industries. But, here are the main ones: M365 Copilot, Windows Copilot, Power Platform Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Dynamics 365 Copilot, Security Copilot, Azure AI Studio Copilot. If you are interested to check which Copilot will most suit your needs, please check the Microsoft official site: Decide which Copilot is right for you | Microsoft Learn.

About Gorana Konevska Jankoska 14 Articles
MSc Gorana Konevska Jankoska is an MVP, MCT and consultant, working with Microsoft brand for more than 18 years. Her area of expertise are: Microsoft 365, adoption, developing customized trainings, end user support. She enjoys running, reading books, playing piano, painting and spending time with her family.

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