Making Sense of Microsoft Copilot

We’re now seeing more advisers than ever experimenting with AI tools – not just out of curiosity, but as part of their day-to-day work. It’s no longer just a niche group dipping their toes in; the majority are getting involved in some way. But with that comes a fair share of questions – and rightly so. 

Many are still unsure which tools are actually safe to use. Are these tools using my data? Is it stored securely? Could it be exposed? These are important concerns – and they’re not always easy to answer given how quickly new tools appear and how little transparency some offer. 

That’s why there’s a strong case for getting familiar with the tools available within your existing business environment – and one of the easiest starting points is Microsoft Copilot. I’m going to work on the assumption that you’ve got access to it (or will soon), as it’s fast becoming available across more practices. 

That said, there’s a principle that holds true across most AI tools: garbage in, garbage out. If you feed them simple prompts, you’ll usually get simple answers. But with a little extra thought – especially around how you provide business context, your style and tone, or how your practice works – the value lifts significantly. 

Yes, tools like Copilot are getting better at inferring context, but nothing beats shaping it yourself. The better the input, the better the result – and this habit will serve you well across all AI tools. 

Getting Started: Microsoft Copilot in Practice 

Many are using Copilot already – but let’s first draw a simple, important distinction: 

• Copilot for Microsoft 365 (Business use) 

• Copilot in Edge or Bing (Personal use) 

While they might sound similar, there’s a critical difference – especially when it comes to security and data protection. 

If you’re using Copilot within Microsoft 365, you’re staying within your secure business environment – a big tick from a compliance and client-data perspective. It also means your prompts, documents, and usage are not used to train public models. 

It’s also visually clear: Copilot for Microsoft 365 displays a green shield icon, indicating it’s operating within your enterprise environment. In contrast, the personal Copilot experience – like in Edge or Bing – may include small disclaimers or prompts stating things like: 

"Your data may be used to improve Microsoft products and services." 

This is a reminder that, unless you specifically manage your settings, your queries in personal Copilot may be logged and even contribute to broader model training. It also means your prompts, documents, and usage may be used to train public models. While it might seem subtle, these details matter when handling client-sensitive or confidential business information.

Now, onto what Copilot (for business) can actually do – and how to make it more useful in the real world. 

Starting Small – But Practical 

Copilot started by offering relatively basic benefits, and while it’s still early days in terms of full customisation, it’s already proving useful in a few key areas. Take Teams meeting summaries, for example. Having a transcript and a summarised breakdown of key discussion points – even if it’s not always perfect – is a handy way to ensure you have a record of conversations. It’s not a replacement for a full file note yet, and it can lack the personalisation or contextual awareness other tools offer, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

Making Copilot More Useful Without Getting Technical 

Here’s where it gets more interesting. While Copilot doesn’t offer out-of-the-box fine-tuning the way some other tools do, things are about to get much more advanced here – see the note below. That said, you can still shape its responses to align with your business context – without getting overly technical. 

One approach is using SharePoint as a ‘reference base.’ For example, say you’ve got a document saved outlining your preferred tone, format, or content structure for client emails. You can then prompt Copilot by saying something like: 

“Please draft a response to this email from X using the format and style referenced in document Y.” 

This lets Copilot draft replies that are more consistent with your existing communication style, helping maintain tone and quality – even across different team members. It won’t remove the need for final checks or tweaks, but it’ll cut down the time to first draft significantly. And that’s just one simple example. 

To take it a step further, imagine you receive a client enquiry about a specific product – or even something more process-driven, like updating an address. Having a reference document or policy library available via SharePoint or OneDrive means you can prompt Copilot with: 

“Please draft a response to this client question about trauma cover, using the language and detail provided in document Z.” 

or: 

“Draft a step-by-step response for updating their contact information, based on the instructions in our client service guide.” 

By setting up a small library of go-to documents, you’re streamlining these repeatable actions and removing the need to start from scratch each time. It’s not just about speed – it’s also about consistency, especially as teams grow or when multiple people handle client servicing. 

Think about all the repetitive drafting or reviewing tasks that crop up in your practice – particularly where consistency matters. With Copilot, you can shave minutes (or hours) off those steps, especially when team experience levels vary. 

What’s Coming Next – A Leap in Capability 

Here’s where it gets exciting. Microsoft has just announced a wave of upcoming improvements to Copilot – and these will dramatically shift how customisable and powerful the tool can be. 

We’re talking about: 

• Agents and ‘Copilot Studio’ capabilities, allowing you to create role-specific AI assistants 

• Improved pre-configuration tools, making it easier to embed your processes and language 

• Workflow integrations, that go beyond what’s currently possible with simple prompting 

In the not-too-distant future (we’re talking weeks, not years), you’ll be able to start training Copilot with even more targeted instructions. This opens doors to things like: 

• Streamlining SoA content checks for compliance or tone 

• Automating elements of client onboarding and task follow-up 

• Drafting consistent, client-friendly communications – fast 

Final Thoughts 

Copilot won’t do everything for you – nor should it. But if you’re looking for ways to bring AI safely and practically into your business, it’s a strong contender. Especially when used alongside clear, team-driven content and thoughtful prompting, it can lift consistency, save time, and quietly improve how you operate. 

And we’re only just getting started. The next few months will bring even more potential into reach – no coding or tech wizardry required. 

One Last Note 

It’s worth considering the long-term value of building out a reference or knowledge library for your business. Whether it’s for client communication, internal processes, or product responses, having that content at the ready makes every tool – not just Copilot – more powerful and consistent. 

And finally, a quick reminder: while tools like Copilot for Microsoft 365 offer a safer and more secure environment, always ensure you’re aware of your organisation’s data policies. When in doubt, check where your data is going, how it’s being used, and who can access it. Security and trust should always underpin how we adopt new tech in advice. 

Best regards,

Marc Fabris

Risk Hub Founder

About Risk Hub

Risk Hub is a central source of tools and resources designed to enhance the delivery of risk advice. Our platform provides quick access to insurer information, a comprehensive service provider directory, and essential resources like PDS links. With growing educational support, including programs like AI Essentials, we're committed to empowering advisers with the tools and guidance that make a real difference in their practice and for their clients.

Just a friendly note: while this article series showcases examples of tools and platforms, always make your own enquiries around pricing, security, and compliance to ensure any tech you use aligns with your business needs and obligations.