Artificial intelligence is one of the headline technologies of the last few years. After all, it can do almost anything required and constantly evolves to be more refined. One of the most popular ways artificial intelligence is utilised is by using Large Language Models (LLMs).

These tools are essentially AI chat tools, where you can talk to an AI who will help you with whatever you prompt it to do. The most popular of these tools are OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot for 365.

But, while these two tools are similar, they do also have differences that are very apparent in the workplace. That’s why in this article, we’re going to go over the differences and similarities between ChatGPT and Copilot for Microsoft 365. We’ll take a look at both tools and how they compare to one another.

Overview of ChatGPT

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, was released in November 2022 and took the world by storm. The first widely available Large Language Model (LLM), ChatGPT was revolutionary and defined the way that AI would be used around the world for years to come

What does this actually mean? ChatGPT was the first tool released of its kind — simply just type in a prompt and you’ll get a response.

The current version of ChatGPT — GPT 4.0 —  is the latest version of GPT, and it’s able to create content that is indistinguishable from human-written text. Compared to past versions of GPT, GPT 4.0 is not only more knowledgeable but is better at using your prompts to find the information you want.

On top of this, GPT 4.0 has more recent training data — whereas past versions of GPT had a training data cutoff of 2021, GPT 4.0 has a cutoff date of April 2023, meaning that it’s aware of events up to April 2023.

Overview of Copilot for Microsoft 365

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is essentially Microsoft’s own version of ChatGPT. After backing OpenAI in 2023, Microsoft set out to integrate GPT into its own tools.

The application takes the concept of ChatGPT to new heights. Instead of just simply being a large language model, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is designed to enhance the capabilities of Microsoft 365. Moreover, Copilot uses organisational data to be able to do more than just give information, works with your data to be able to create documents, analyse spreadsheets and emails, and so much more.

Essentially, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is tailor-made for businesses within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem to be able to take advantage of the power of AI in their business. Copilot is designed with businesses in mind, with options for enterprise rather than just being a tool for anyone to access.

On top of this, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is available within every Microsoft 365 application, meaning that you don’t have to open another app or website to access your virtual assistant.

Key Similarities

Powered by OpenAI

Both ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot are powered by OpenAI’s GPT, meaning that the underlying tech that powers one powers the other too. This means that you’re using the same AI for both — meaning the decision between the two has a lot more to do with the other features provided rather than the AI quality.

User Experience

The user experience of both tools is nearly identical. It’s the same concept of entering a prompt into a box and receiving a response, which is part of the simplicity of AI LLMs.

Both Copilot and ChatGPT are pretty much identical in user interface too, meaning that you won’t have a massive difference with either.

The Art of Prompting

Both of the applications rely on prompting — having to create a prompt to ensure that your response is exactly what you want from the LLM. This is a key part of using LLMs, as the art of prompting is a skill that helps you get the most out of them.

Key Differences

Integration with Microsoft 365

The biggest draw towards Copilot is how it integrates with Microsoft 365 — in that, you have a tool that can do anything with your existing Microsoft 365 applications. Using your organisational data, several features integrate with applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Data Security and Compliance

A big difference between ChatGPT and Copilot is that ChatGPT uses public data to train its AI, meaning that any data that you put into the program will be used to train the LLM. Conversely, Copilot lets you have a private implementation of GPT, meaning that your information is protected.

Customisation and Scalability

As Copilot uses organisational data, you can easily tailor your Copilot to make it work for you — ChatGPT is far less customisable as it is simply an online tool. You can use Copilot to edit things throughout your business and can fuel your LLM with data that is relevant to your business.

On top of this, Copilot is scalable within your organisation, meaning that you can easily adjust how much you pay for Copilot throughout your business. ChatGPT is a fixed subscription per user, making it far more difficult to scale up as you’d need to set up a lot of different ChatGPT accounts to be able to use ChatGPT premium.

How We Can Help

Artificial intelligence is a vital part of the modern business world. Being able to take advantage of LLMs to be able to empower your business with artificial intelligence is also vital, and can change how your business works in several ways.

ChatGPT and Copilot for Microsoft 365 are both massive players in the AI world and have key differences that set them apart. Ultimately, Microsoft’s offering is far better for businesses.

If you’re looking to get started with Microsoft 365 but don’t know where to begin, reach out to us today. We’re here to help and will ensure you have everything you need to get started with AI in your business.

Get in touch with us now and see how we can help.