Copilot Chat now available for free to everyone with a Microsoft 365 account

Microsoft has made Copilot Chat available for free to anyone with a Microsoft 365 account. This gives a huge group of employees access to new AI capabilities, without an organization having to invest directly in Copilot licenses. For many organizations, this is a tipping point: AI is shifting from an experiment to a fixed layer within daily work. The question is no longer whether employees will use AI, but how to use it safely, effectively and strategically. 

What employees can do with free Copilot Chat 

With Copilot Chat, employees get direct support in their work, without having to switch applications. They can: 

• Asking questions based on public information 
• Rewriting, summarizing and clarifying texts 
• Generate ideas and develop scenarios  
• Prepare emails, proposals, and documents
• Get to first drafts faster in the flow of their work 

This functionality significantly lowers the threshold for AI use. Employees quickly experience the value and immediately see how AI can support them. 

What you can't do with the free version 

The free version has clear limitations. Employees can: 

• No retrieving or analyzing data from the Grapgh such as SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams or email   
• Don't build Agents in Copilot Studio 

Free Copilot Chat is ideal for general work, but not for data-driven work processes or business information. Why this step is important for organizations. More and more organizations are discovering that employees are already using AI, even without permission. Studies show  that: 

• Half of employees rely on AI tools that are not approved by the organization
• Many employees continue to use Shadow AI even if it is banned
• Employees often lack adequate training to understand the risks of unauthorized use

This makes the introduction of free Copilot Chat not only an opportunity but also a necessity. It offers a controlled, safe and trusted environment in which employees can work responsibly with AI. 

How Copilot Chat Helps Prevent Shadow AI 

By providing employees with a secure, approved AI solution within Microsoft 365, you reduce the risks associated with Shadow AI. Copilot Chat is designed with: 

• Strict data security and privacy protection 
• Secure processing within the Microsoft environment 
• Control and insight for IT and security 
• A clear framework for responsible use 

This helps organizations get a grip on AI use, without inhibiting innovation. 

Acceleration in adoption and productivity 

Because Copilot Chat is available in the familiar Microsoft environment, employees are more likely to experiment and see results sooner. As a result, organizations see: 

• An accelerated adoption of AI skills 
• Insight into which teams and processes benefit the most
• Direct productivity gains in daily work 
• A more informed foundation for investing in Microsoft 365 Copilot 

Free Copilot Chat thus becomes a logical stepping stone to full integration. 

What this means for organizations already using Microsoft 365 Copilot 

For existing Copilot users, little will change. However, a new opportunity arises: teams that were still hesitant can now get acquainted with AI in an accessible way. This lowers the threshold to eventually work fully with Copilot , including access to internal data and business processes. 

How to build towards real AI impact now

Organizations that are successful with AI do three things: 

• They develop a clear AI strategy: What do you use AI for? Which processes are changing? Which roles are changing? 
• They put governance and security at the center: Clear guidelines, policies and agreements are essential. 
• They invest in training and adoption: Employees need to know how to use AI safely and in a valuable way. 

Wortell supports organizations in every step 

Wortell guides organizations through the entire process of AI maturity. We help with: 

• Developing an AI strategy and roadmap 
• Governance, privacy and data security 
• Training and adoption through our Copilot Flight Academy 
• Practical workshops on Copilot Chat, Copilot Studio and Agents 
• Building Custom Agents and Company GPTs 
• Setting up a Workplace AI Center of Excellence 

Our Flight Academies provide employees with exactly what they need to work safely, effectively and confidently with Copilot. From basic skills to advanced use.