Generative AI and Copilot: Access Gen AI with MS Copilot

ECU students and staff now have access to Microsoft Copilot via the Edge browser (or Bing or Teams apps) using their ECU login. Microsoft Copilot is designed to enhance productivity within Microsoft 365 applications such as Office. Copilot is based on OpenAI models, including GPT-4 and Dall-E 3. It offers text and image generation along with up-to-date web search capabilities. 

Copilot is a great way to safely explore the capabilities of gen AI. Whilst Copilot is a freely available service built into the Edge browser or Bing app, your ECU account provides further protection. When you log in with your ECU account, you benefit from the following safeguards: 

• Data protection: Data will not be leaked outside of ECU - protecting your intellectual property.
• Anonymity: Chat history is temporarily retained; Microsoft has no eyes-on access to them.
• Privacy: Your queries will not be used to train the underlying large language model.
• Security: No reporting or auditing capability is provided.
• Access: Priority access to the more powerful gen AI models, where free users may be limited.

See the flowchart on the Responsible Use of Gen AI for Assessments below to help guide you through ECU resources when using these tools.

Use Microsoft Copilot in Edge

• Download and install Microsoft Edge from your App Store or web browser of choice (visit the Microsoft Edge webpage).
• Log in as an ECU user. Look for a briefcase on the icon in your taskbar, or check your profile details in the top right corner or via the Settings menu.
• If you are not logged in, follow the prompts to log in with your ECU account.
• Click on the Microsoft Copilot icon in the top right corner of the browser.

• A chat panel will open on the side of your browser. There will be some quick prompts and a "New chat" option.

• Type a prompt into the box at the bottom of the screen. Try the RICE technique shown in Module 1.

Use Microsoft Copilot without Edge

If you prefer to use a different browser, you have a couple of options:

• Go to https://copilot.microsoft.com/ or https://copilot.cloud.microsoft/ and log in with your ECU account. 

OR

• Install the Bing app on your device from the app store of your choice. Once installed, log into the app with your ECU account to benefit from protected use.  

The Academic Skills @ ECU Canvas site gives you advice on the responsible use of generative AI tools for learning.

This Library guide gives advice on using gen AI tools for researching and the ethical use of the technology.