What is Microsoft Copilot Chat? 


Copilot Chat is a generative AI chatbot powered in the backend by OpenAI tools. 


What can Copilot Chat do?


Copilot Chat can:


  • Answer questions and explain complex topics
  • Help draft or refine emails, reports, and communications
  • Summarise meetings, readings, or long documents
  • Create text, images, and ideas for projects
  • Understand and reply in multiple languages

It combines the knowledge it was trained on with up-to-date web data. Every answer includes citations and links, so you can check the sources yourself.


Please note: Always review the outputs of generative AI carefully. AI tools should support your work, but they must remain human-led, with critical thinking applied to every result.


Access Copilot Chat


Who can access Copilot Chat?


The free version is available to all CHRC staff. 


Why use it at CHRC? Using Copilot Chat for everyday life at council


Copilot Chat is built into our Microsoft environment, which means:


  • Your data stays safe – it’s protected under CHRC’s Microsoft licence
  • It supports your work
  • It reduces errors with clear, consistent outputs
  • It supports staff learning, research, and daily admin


By using advanced security features, Microsoft Copilot Chat maintains the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. It adheres to compliance standards, safeguards against unauthorised access and implements industry-leading encryption methods to protect your enterprise data.


What is councils Use of AI Policy? 


Council has an adopted Use of AI Policy that guides the safe, ethical, and effective use of AI across council operations, ensuring we protect privacy, security and community trust while improving our services. 


How to access Copilot Chat @ CHRC

CHRC’s credential access to Copilot Chat ensures that user prompts and responses are not retained, saved, or used as part of any training set for the underlying large language model. This Copilot Chat ensures that sensitive information, data, and intellectual property remain unseen and secure from Microsoft. 


You can access Copilot Chat at microsoft.com/copilot, opens in a new window on any PC or mobile device. 


How to sign in to Copilot Chat

  1. Click ‘Sign in’ and enter your council email address
  2. Click ‘Next’ and use your Password (if prompted)
  3. Authenticate using the MFA app on your phone.


Copilot Chat is compatible with Microsoft Edge and Chrome on desktop PCs. Ensure you're signed in with your work account, indicated by a tag next to your credentials in the top right corner. Without signing in with your work account, your data will not be protected when using AI chat.


FAQs about Copilot Chat


Free vs Paid version of Copilot - How to request the paid licensed version

 How do you use Copilot Chat?

Step 1: Choose a conversation style

  • Creative: Provides original, human-like responses with more elaboration and examples.
  • Precise: Offers concise, factual answers, ideal for straightforward information.
  • Balanced: A mix of creative and precise, delivering the fastest response time.


Step 2: Type your prompt


Enter your question or instruction in the text box.


Use detailed questions or statements to generate customised responses. For example, craft a good prompt and explore different uses of prompts/genAI.


Use natural language—there’s no need to break your question into keywords.


Step 3:  Export responses


Copy or export AI responses to Word, text, or PDF.


Useful tips - Get the most out of Copilot Chat