Copilot Chat
Page updated: 23/10/2025
Copilot Chat
From 27th of October, all Council staff will have access to Copilot Chat, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant within Teams and Microsoft Edge.
Whether you are drafting documents, summarising content or brainstorming ideas, Copilot Chat will be able to help you work smarter and faster.
This AI assistant, known as Copilot Chat, is part of our Microsoft 365 suite of applications open to all staff. It’s designed to support your day-to-day tasks while keeping your data secure and compliant with GDPR and EU Data Boundary standards
Copilot Chat vs. Microsoft 365 Copilot
Copilot Chat:
- Integration: Available in Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Edge, and accessible to all staff as part of the standard Microsoft 365 suite.
- Data Access: Does not automatically access internal organisational data (emails, meetings, files, etc.). Instead, it generates responses based on web content and any files you upload during the chat.
- Features: Provides conversational assistance for drafting documents, summarising content, brainstorming ideas, and answering questions. Great for general queries and quick help.
- Eligibility: Included for all staff with no additional licensing required.
- Security: Built with enterprise-grade security and GDPR compliance.
- Use Case: Suitable for staff who need quick, conversational support and do not require integration with organisational data or advanced automation
Microsoft 365 Copilot:
- Integration: Deeply embedded in Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
- Data Access: Can securely access your work emails, meetings, chats, documents, SharePoint, and OneDrive files, provide contextually relevant responses and automating tasks within those apps.
- Features: Supports advanced productivity features like summarising meetings, drafting documents, analysing data, creating presentations, and automating repetitive tasks.
- Eligibility: Requires a dedicated Microsoft 365 Copilot license assigned by IT. This is typically available to staff whose roles benefit from deeper integration and advanced features.
- Security: Fully compliant with enterprise data protection standards, respecting user permissions and organisational policies.
- Use Case: Ideal for staff who need AI support directly within their daily work tools and access to organisational data
In Microsoft Teams:
- Open Microsoft Teams on your laptop.
- Look for the Copilot Chat icon in the sidebar (usually on the left side of the Teams window).
- Click the Copilot Chat icon to launch the assistant.
- Start typing your question or task. Copilot Chat is ready to help you draft documents, summarise content, brainstorm ideas, and more.
In Microsoft Edge:
- Open Microsoft Edge on your laptop.
- Make sure you have the latest version of Edge installed.
- Look for the Copilot icon at the top right of the browser window and click it to launch Copilot Chat.
Copilot Chat is an AI-powered assistant available in Microsoft Teams and Edge, designed to help staff work smarter and faster. Its main benefits include:
- Boosted Productivity: Copilot Chat helps you draft documents, summarise content, brainstorm ideas, and answer questions quickly, reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks and allowing you to focus on higher value work.
- Easy Access & Conversational Support: You can access Copilot Chat directly in Teams or Edge, making it simple to get instant help with day-to-day tasks through a conversational interface.
- Information Retrieval & Summarisation: Copilot Chat can find information on specific topics, summarise complex documents, and distil key points from articles or web pages, supporting research and decision-making.
- Idea Generation & Brainstorming: It’s a valuable tool for generating ideas, creating outlines, and solving problems collaboratively.
- Security & Compliance: Copilot Chat is built with enterprise grade security and data protection, ensuring your interactions are safeguarded and compliant with GDPR and other standards.
To support all staff, we have launched a new AI e-learning module, designed to help you understand and use artificial intelligence in your daily tasks. This module covers a wide range of topics, including the basics of AI, its applications in various fields, and how to use AI tools effectively and ethically.
You can also join Microsoft every Tuesday at 2pm for a 60-minute Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat webinar, designed specifically for local government council staff.
Each webinar includes practical prompting tips, real world examples, and a live Q&A. Whether you're curious about AI or looking to improve service delivery and collaboration, this is a great opportunity to learn and connect.
IT Support
IT Expression of Interest Request
Working Remotely
IT Policies
IT Strategies
IT Security
- Exchange Online Protection
- Windows Security Updates
- Encrypted Emails
- Self Service Password Reset
- Multi Factor Authentication
Print and Scan
Mitel IP Phone Settings and Features
Optimising Home Broadband
Portable Devices
- Mobile Phones
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- WhatsApp Guidance
- Tethering/Mobile Hot Spot
- Mobile Device Photos - MS One Drive Guide
Install your own software
Web Browsers
More from IT Support