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Tech Tips: M365 Copilot Chat (free) and PAYG Agents – Tech Tip for February 19, 2025
This week’s Tech Tip covers Copilot Chat (free) and Pay As You Go (PAYG) agents powered by Copilot AI. Microsoft describes this as a “Copilot for all,” which includes a secure AI chat tool powered by GPT-4, agent capabilities, IT controls for enterprise data protection, and agent management. Let’s dive into the free Copilot Chat and PAYG agents experience!
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Microsoft 365 (Free) Copilot and PAYG Agents
With the release of the new free model, users can now access Microsoft’s Copilot Chat with limited features and functionality, and when PAYG Billing is enabled, the ability to create Copilot AI-powered PAYG agents. The new chat and agents experience is accessible for the following licenses:
- Microsoft 365 A1/A3/A5 (including MA3/MA5 for students, MA3/MA5 for faculty, and MA3/MA5 student-use benefit)
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic/Business Standard/Business Premium
- Microsoft 365 E3/E5
- Microsoft 365 F1/F3
- Microsoft Teams/Teams Enterprise/ Teams Essentials/Teams Rooms
- Office 365 A1/A1 Plus/A3/A5
- Office 365 E1/E1 Plus/E3/E5
- Office 365 F3
TIP: Microsoft notes that, “License versions designated “(no Teams)” and “EEA (no Teams)” are also included. US government cloud customers and students under 18 are not yet eligible.” Click here to read more about license eligibility.
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Microsoft Copilot Chat
Let’s review Copilot Chat navigation. The free user interface for Copilot Chat is similar to the licensed version but differs in data grounding: personal and web vs. Microsoft Graph connectors and work data.
- New chat: Create new chats grounded in personal and web data1.
- Copilot security: Learn about the security and protection that applies to your chats.
- Copilot chats and more:
- About: Discover more about Copilot and link to Microsoft FAQs.
- Send feedback: Share compliments, report issues, or suggest improvements to Microsoft.
- Settings: Agents settings and management information.
- Panel: Close and open the panel access for Copilot, Agents, and Recent chats.
Sample prompts area: Select from Copilot AI powered sample prompts2.
- Click sample prompt featured buttons to start a new chat or brainstorm ideas with Copilot.
View and Draft Prompt Area:
- View prompts: Click to view even more Copilot prompts in a new pop-up window. Save and link to share your favorite prompts with your team from the Copilot Prompt Gallery3.
- Prompt area: Draft prompts and attach files for Copilot to reference4 or to give more context to your conversation.
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TIP: While Copilot works best when using English, it can recognize and utilize other languages as well. Language support can also be reviewed here: supported languages for Microsoft Copilot.
TIP: Start a conversation in a new language: try an initial prompt in Spanish with Copilot by typing “Hola Copilot” in the prompt area. Copilot will respond with Spanish language prompts in return.
Copilot PAYG Agents
Unlike Microsoft Copilot Chat free which grounds itself in web data and information provided by you, Pay As You Go agents utilize Tenant Graph grounding for messages which can work across work data and SharePoint. The cost of authoring and using PAYG agents is based on message consumption rates. Pay As You Go Billing setup is required for agent authoring, and access is controlled through settings in the Microsoft Admin Center.
Here’s how it works:
- Creating Agents: You can make agents by giving them instructions in plain language. For example, you might tell an agent to answer questions about company policies or help with scheduling meetings or to analyze SharePoint or work data.
- Using Agents: Once created, agents can be used within Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. They can answer questions, provide information, and may be able to perform tasks such as scheduling appointments or analyzing SharePoint or work data.
- Pay As You Go Agents: Using Copilot agents are based on consumption rates (how many messages and the types of messages you send to Copilot while using the agent). Pay As You Go Billing must be set up to use the ‘Create an agent’ tool.
- Different Types of Answers: Agents can give different types of answers. Some answers are pre-written (classic answers), while others are generated on the spot based on the context of the conversation (generative answers). Message rates are based on these intricacies.
- Get Agents: If you are not authorized to author agents, the ‘Get agents’ button feature in Copilot Chat will be accessible and by default will navigate you to the Apps page. Please note: apps may require Admin approval to be added/installed.
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TIP: Organizations that want to limit, manage, or set up Copilot and Agent PAYG billing and access can find new settings related to Copilot in the Microsoft Admin Center to adjust these preferences.
TIP: Visit aka.ms/copilotchat for further information on the Copilot Chat (free) experience. Click here to read more information on Copilot agents and Pay As You Go message rates.
Reach Out to TechWise Group
Interested in learning more about Copilot integrations and features? Reach out to TechWise Group. We’ll help you make the most of your Microsoft tools.
Important Microsoft Announcements:
- Maximize your organization’s Security with Secure Score and MFA:
- Get to know your Secure Score—your essential tool for proactive threat management.
- Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the best way to prevent cyberthreats.
- Give your business a productivity boost with Microsoft Copilot:
- Take advantage of a 15% discount on Copilot licensing now through Dec 31, 2024 (terms and conditions apply).
- Get started with Copilot consulting services to organize and secure your data, while also training you and your team.
- Keep your infrastructure up to date:
- SQL Server 2014 reaches End of Support (EOS) on July 9, 2024.
- Windows 10 reaches End of Support (EOS) on October 14, 2025.
- Windows 11 feature update 23H2 is now available (September 2024).
- Windows 11 version 22H2 Home and Pro editions will reach end of service (October 8, 2024) and will be required to upgrade to version 23H2 to continue receiving security updates.
- Windows 11 Enterprise and Education editions with 22H2 will continue to be supported after October 8, 2024.
- Contact TechWise Group to get started or to put a plan in place.