Copilot: What is it? What is it for?
Around 120 participants explored the capabilities of this innovative and still relatively unknown tool from Microsoft 365, designed to transform daily productivity. The event targeted businesses of all sizes, public entities, and freelancers looking to optimize processes and maximize efficiency.
A New Era of Work
The event was opened by António Miguel Castro, President of INOVAGAIA, who emphasized the role of artificial intelligence as a driving force behind technological progress.
“We are living through a period of accelerated transformation, where emerging technologies reshape the way we work and produce results,” he stated.
He underlined the importance for companies to stay updated, noting that adopting new tools like Copilot not only boosts productivity but also enhances the quality of work.
“INOVAGAIA will continue to launch initiatives that empower participants to apply these technologies in their professional and business realities,” he concluded.
Insights from Microsoft
Diogo Vaz Guedes, Data & AI Azure Specialist at Microsoft Portugal, gave a comprehensive overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot. He explained how this AI-powered tool integrates into major work platforms — like Excel, Word, Teams, and Outlook — providing personalized responses and optimizing repetitive tasks.
According to him, Copilot is designed to save time and free up employees to focus on more creative and strategic activities.
Companies already using the tool report significant gains, such as saving up to three hours of work per week per employee. He also highlighted Copilot Studio, which allows organizations to build custom AI agents tailored to their specific needs.
Importantly, security and governance remain a top priority, with rigorous privacy controls built into the platform.
Real-World Applications
Estela Bastos from Visual Thinking followed with practical examples, demystifying the use of Copilot in everyday tasks. She showcased features like automated email drafting, Teams meeting summaries, Excel assistance, and the integration of various Microsoft 365 tools into reports and documents.
She emphasized two key differentiators of Copilot:
- Its secure, enterprise-grade integration
- Its ability to enhance business workflows without compromising data safety
The event made it clear that Microsoft 365 Copilot is more than just a tool — it’s an essential ally for anyone aiming to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market, offering efficiency, innovation, and security.
