You may have heard that Copilot will change how you work without getting a clear explanation of what it is. Even the name can mean several different products. This module sorts that out before you write your first prompt, including how to recognize an answer that sounds convincing but isn't supported.
We begin with a plain account of generative AI and why a tool that writes an answer behaves differently from a search engine that finds one. You'll then meet the Copilot family: the free chat you may already use, the licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot that can work with your files, and the specialized Copilots for security, code, and finance. From there, you'll learn how to choose a Copilot, pick a conversation mode, and recognize work that calls for an agent.
Copilot can save time, but it can also invent a date that never appeared in your notes and present it as a fact. The module ends with the habit that keeps this useful: checking important claims against their sources. You don't need prior AI knowledge, a license, or any setup. By the end, you'll be able to choose a Copilot for the task and assess the answer it gives you.
What you'll walk away with
Explain what generative AI is and how it differs from a search engine
Navigate the Copilot family, from free consumer chat to Microsoft 365 Copilot
Match a task to the right Copilot surface and conversation mode
Distinguish web grounding from work grounding and know what your license covers
Recognize when a job needs an agent instead of a one-off chat
Verify Copilot's output for fabrication, bias, and stale information
