# AI for Productivity with Copilot (Self-Paced) Canonical URL: ## Overview Transform the way you work with Copilot, Microsoft’s advanced AI technology. This course introduces the core concepts of AI and explores its powerful role in boosting productivity across industries. Learn how Copilot enhances efficiency, expands capabilities, and streamlines workflows by automating tasks and helping you achieve more in less time. Through real-world scenarios and hands-on applications, discover how to apply Copilot to communication (email, meetings, and chat), writing, data analysis, decision-making, and beyond—elevating your productivity, creativity, and overall impact in the workplace. ## What you'll learn - Learn the core concepts of artificial intelligence and how large language models (LLMs) like Copilot function - Write prompts and fine-tune Copilot’s responses for a variety of real-world workplace scenarios - Integrate Copilot with Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive - Streamline routine tasks like writing emails, summarizing documents, capturing meeting notes, and analyzing data - Generate AI-powered images and visuals while understanding the limitations and best practices of generative AI - Compare Copilot with ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot to determine the best tool for each task - Discover emerging AI tools and mobile apps that can expand your workflow beyond traditional desktop use ## Curriculum #### The Technology & Importance of AI (Artificial Intelligence) - What is a Large Language Model (LLM) & how does it work? - The Importance of AI - AI Products from Microsoft vs OpenAI (makers of ChatGPT) #### Data Privacy - Large Language Model Training & Data Privacy - Does Copilot use your Company Data for Training the AI? #### Copilot Plans: Free vs Paid - Copilot vs Copilot Pro vs Microsoft 365 Copilot - Copilot Plans for Individuals - Copilot Plans for Organizations - Microsoft Copilot vs GitHub Copilot #### Getting Started with Copilot: Writing Prompts - Ask Copilot a Question - Work vs Web Tabs - Follow Up Messages - Create a New Chat or Continue the Current Chat? - What to Do If You Are Not Satisfied with Copilot's Response - Edit in Pages #### Ideas For How You Can Use AI - What can Copilot do for you? - Learn the Most Important Aspects About a Topic - Write Something For You - Get Summaries of Documents, Articles, etc - Improve Your Writing - Clean Up a Video Transcript - and many more... #### Generating Images - Generating Images from a Text Prompt - The Style of Graphics: Illustration vs Photography - Tips for Generating Realistic Looking Photos - Tips for Creating Images with Copilot #### Things to Watch Out For - Potential Downsides to Generative AI - AI is Not Perfect (You must verify) #### Copilot’s Integration into Microsoft Office (365) Apps - Excel - Word - PowerPoint - Outlook (App or outlook.com) - Teams (Meetings & Chat) - OneDrive #### Microsoft Excel - Write formulas for you (inside Excel) - Insert columns for you - Apply color and formatting - Understand/visualize your data by having Copilot create charts, Pivot Tables, and even Pivot Charts #### Microsoft Outlook & Email - Get caught up on your email faster - Write better emails (Copilot can write emails for you or suggest improvements to what you write) - Create email rules #### Microsoft Word - Summarize documents - Have it review your writing - Have it write for you: - Brand new writing based on a prompt you type - Based on a reference file you provide it #### Microsoft PowerPoint - Summarize PowerPoint presentations - Ask questions about content in a presentation - Generate entire presentations with a Copilot prompt - Convert files in PowerPoint presentations - Add new slides #### Microsoft Teams (Meetings & Chat) - Catch up on a chats with coworkers - Ask questions and get answers about a meeting without having to rewatch a meeting or read the entire transcript - Review/create meeting notes - Catch up on a meeting if you’re late #### Microsoft OneDrive - Summarize files - Ask questions about a file’s contents - Compare files #### Using AI In “Your” Job - How can AI help “you specifically” in your job? #### Microsoft Copilot vs ChatGPT - When to use Copilot Instead of ChatGPT - When to use ChatGPT instead of Copilot #### Copilot & AI Are Rapidly Developing - Resources for Staying Up to Date #### Copilot Mobile Apps - Getting the correct Mobile App for your plan (there are multiple) ## Instructors ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Brian Simms — Instructor Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate both the complexities of project management and the transformative potential of AI. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $299