How Microsoft have Ushered in the Chat GPT Era

In 2019, Microsoft announced a partnership with?OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research organisation co-founded by Elon Musk and several other prominent figures in the tech industry. As part of the partnership, Microsoft invested $1 billion into OpenAI to support their research efforts.

The two companies also agreed to work together to develop advanced AI technologies that could be used to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. In particular, they focused on developing AI systems that could be used to address climate change, improve healthcare outcomes, and enhance education and training.

As part of the partnership, OpenAI agreed to use?Microsoft’s Azure?cloud computing platform to run its AI models and experiments, and in return Microsoft would become OpenAI’s exclusive cloud computing partner. The two companies also agreed to collaborate on the development of new AI technologies and tools, with Microsoft contributing their expertise in areas like natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning.

Microsoft partnered with OpenAI as they’re one of the leading organisations in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development.

OpenAI is known for its cutting-edge research in areas like deep learning, reinforcement learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. By partnering with OpenAI, Microsoft gained access to some of the most advanced AI technologies and expertise in the field.

Moreover, Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI aligns with their vision of democratising AI and making it accessible to everyone. The two companies have a shared goal of using AI to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, healthcare, and education.

Understanding Chat GPT

Chat GPT is a language model developed by OpenAI, the same organisation that partnered with Microsoft. It is part of a larger family of GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models that were trained on massive amounts of text data to enable them to generate human-like responses to prompts.

Chat GPT was trained on a diverse range of text data, including books, articles, and web pages, allowing it to respond to a wide range of topics and conversations. As a language model, Chat GPT has many potential applications, including chatbots, question-answering systems, and language translation.

Although Chat GPT is just one of many AI technologies developed by OpenAI, it has gained widespread attention and popularity due to its ability to generate high-quality, human-like responses to text prompts. It has been used in a variety of contexts, including customer service, educational applications, and social media.

Chat GPT works by using a deep learning technique called a transformer network to generate human-like responses to prompts. Here’s a high-level overview of how it works:

• Pre-training: Chat GPT is trained on a large corpus of text data using an unsupervised learning algorithm. During pre-training, the model learns to identify patterns and relationships in the text data by predicting the next word in a sequence of words.
• Fine-tuning: Once pre-training is complete, the model can be fine-tuned on a specific task, such as answering questions or generating text. Fine-tuning involves training the model on a smaller dataset that’s specific to the task at hand.
• Response Generation: When given a prompt, Chat GPT generates a response by predicting the most likely sequence of words that would follow the prompt based on its training data. The model can generate a wide range of responses, from short answers to longer paragraphs of text.

To generate responses, Chat GPT uses a combination of attention mechanisms and language modelling. The attention mechanisms allow the model to focus on different parts of the input sequence when generating its response, while the language modelling allows the model to predict the most likely sequence of words to follow the prompt.

Overall, Chat GPT is a powerful tool for generating human-like responses to text prompts, and its ability to generate coherent and informative responses has made it a popular choice for a wide range of applications.

ChatGPT’s integration into Microsoft 365

Microsoft?has integrated Chat GPT, or more specifically, a variant of the model called “Microsoft Turing,” into several products within Microsoft 365, including Microsoft Teams and Outlook.

In?Microsoft Teams, for example, Chat GPT powers the “Answer Questions” feature, which allows users to ask natural language questions about their organisation and receive answers based on their Teams data. The model is trained on a variety of sources, including knowledge bases, FAQs, and company policies, and can provide answers to a wide range of questions, from “What is the company’s vacation policy?” to “How do I set up a meeting with my manager?”

In Outlook, Chat GPT is used to power the “Text Predictions” feature, which suggests words and phrases as users type their emails. The model can predict the next word in a sentence based on the context of the email and the user’s previous writing patterns, making it easier for users to write emails quickly and accurately.

Chat GPT is also integrated into other Microsoft products, such as?Dynamics 365 Customer Service, where it is used to power chatbots and virtual agents. In these applications, the model can understand and respond to customer inquiries, helping to reduce wait times and improve the overall customer experience.

Introducing Microsoft Copilot?

Powered by cutting-edge AI technology,?Microsoft Copilot?integrates the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) with data from Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 apps. It utilises your personal writing patterns, history, and preferences to create an unparalleled productivity tool.

Copilot goes beyond merely incorporating ChatGPT into Microsoft 365; it is a highly innovative solution. Essentially, Copilot is a sophisticated processing and orchestration engine that operates behind the scenes to blend the capabilities of LLMs (including GPT-4) with Microsoft 365 apps and your company’s data via the business graph.

How does Copilot function?

Copilot operates in two ways, both seamlessly integrated with Microsoft 365. First, it works alongside you, embedded in familiar Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and more. By integrating Copilot into the Microsoft 365 suite, it eliminates administrative burdens and enhances your productivity, creativity, and time management.

Furthermore, Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Business Chat. Similar to Copilot, Business Chat operates within the LLM, Microsoft 365 apps, and crucially, your data, accessing your calendar, emails, documents, chats, contacts, and meetings. By responding to natural language prompts like “Inform my team about the marketing plan update,” Business Chat generates a status update based on your morning meetings, emails, and Teams conversations. This ground-breaking technology enables you to manage minor tasks while concentrating on the most engaging aspects of your work.

Although Copilot may appear to be the one making decisions, you always retain ultimate control. You can choose what to use, modify, or discard. Copilot empowers you to create in Word, analyse in Excel, collaborate in Teams, and much more.

For more information on Microsoft Copilot, check out the article?here

Improving Productivity with ChatGPT in Microsoft 365

AI has enormous potential to improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace by automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, and enabling new ways of working. Here are some of the ways that AI can help:

1. Automating routine tasks: AI can automate routine tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and basic customer service inquiries. By doing so, it frees up employees to focus on more strategic and creative work.
2. Providing data-driven insights: AI can analyse large amounts of data and provide insights that would be difficult for humans to uncover. For example, AI can identify patterns in customer behaviour, predict demand for products and services, and recommend actions to improve efficiency.
3. Enabling new ways of working: AI can enable new ways of working, such as remote collaboration, personalised learning, and customised work schedules. By leveraging AI tools such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and language translation, employees can work together more effectively and efficiently, regardless of their location or language.
4. Enhancing decision-making: AI can help employees make better and more informed decisions by providing real-time data and insights. By using AI-powered analytics tools, employees can quickly identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and make data-driven decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.
5. Improving customer experience: AI can help to improve customer experience by enabling faster and more personalised service. For example, chatbots and virtual assistants can help customers quickly find the information they need, while predictive analytics can anticipate customer needs and provide tailored recommendations.

AI has the potential to transform the way we work by automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, enabling new ways of working, enhancing decision-making, and improving customer experience. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will likely become an even more integral part of the workplace, helping to increase productivity, efficiency, and innovation.

The Sigmoid Curve

The sigmoid curve?is an S-shaped curve that shows how things change over time. At first, the change is slow, but then it starts to speed up. Eventually, the change slows down again until it reaches a point where it can’t change much more.

The shape of the curve is defined by a mathematical function that has a gradual increase at the beginning, a steeper increase in the middle, and a gradual decrease at the end. The sigmoid curve is used to model growth and change in a variety of fields and can help us predict and manage change in complex systems.

The sigmoid curve is often used to project the impact of technology on society by modelling how the adoption of new technologies tends to follow a similar pattern of slow, rapid, and then slowed growth. Here are some ways the sigmoid curve is used to project the impact of technology:

• Adoption of new technologies: The sigmoid curve can be used to model the adoption of new technologies. At first, only a small number of people adopt the new technology, but as it becomes more widely known and understood, more people start to adopt it. Eventually, most people who are interested in the technology will have adopted it, and growth will slow down as the market reaches saturation.
• Product life cycle: The sigmoid curve can also be used to model the life cycle of a product. A new product is introduced, and initially, only a small number of people buy it. As more people become aware of the product, sales increase rapidly, and the product reaches its peak popularity. Eventually, the market becomes saturated, and sales growth slows down as the product becomes outdated or replaced by new technologies.
• Impact on society: The sigmoid curve can additionally be used to model the impact of new technologies on society. Initially, the impact may be small or limited to early adopters, but as the technology becomes more widely adopted, the impact grows rapidly. Eventually, the technology may become so pervasive that its impact on society reaches a plateau, and growth slows down.
• Disruptive innovation: The sigmoid curve can also be used to model the impact of disruptive innovations, which are new technologies that fundamentally change the way a market or industry works. Disruptive innovations often follow a sigmoid curve, with slow initial growth, followed by rapid growth as the technology becomes more widely adopted, and then slowed growth as the market becomes saturated.

The sigmoid curve can be a useful tool for projecting the impact of technology on society. By understanding how the adoption of new technologies tends to follow a similar pattern of slow, rapid, and then slowed growth, we can make more accurate projections about the impact of new technologies and prepare for the changes they will bring.

Where does Chat GPT sit on the Sigmoid Curve?

In short, we don’t know.

As the web developer and Youtuber?Tom Scott?said, Chat GPT is still in the early stages of development and adoption, and it is expected to continue to improve rapidly over the next few years. As more people become aware of its capabilities and begin to use it, adoption will increase, leading to more improvements and innovations.

Ultimately, it will reach a point of saturation where it is widely used and its capabilities are well-known, however, it is likely to continue to evolve and improve. At this point, the focus may shift from developing new features to optimising the technology for specific use cases and improving its reliability, scalability, and security.

In the case of Chat GPT, this may involve developing more specialised language models for specific industries or use cases, such as customer service or technical support. It may also involve integrating the technology with other software tools and platforms to enhance its functionality and ease of use.

Over time, as the technology becomes more ubiquitous and the barriers to adoption are lowered, it is likely to become an increasingly integral part of how we interact with computers and with each other.

The potential of Chat GPT and similar technologies to improve communication, productivity, and efficiency in the workplace and beyond is vast, and the full extent of its impact is yet to be realised.

The Pro’s & Cons of Using ChatGPT and Microsoft

There are several potential benefits and drawbacks to using Chat GPT in Microsoft 365, depending on the specific use case and the needs of the user.

Some of the key pros and cons are:

Pros:

• Improved productivity: Chat GPT can save time and effort by providing quick and accurate responses to common queries and tasks, such as scheduling meetings or finding information.
• Enhanced customer experience: By providing fast and personalised responses to customer inquiries, Chat GPT can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Increased accessibility: Chat GPT can help people with disabilities or language barriers to interact with Microsoft 365 more easily and effectively.
• Scalability: Chat GPT can be scaled up or down depending on the needs of the organisation, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution.

Cons:

• Lack of personal touch: Chat GPT responses are generated automatically and may not always reflect the nuance or tone of a human response, potentially leading to a less personal experience for the user.
• Limited context awareness: Chat GPT may not be able to understand the context of a conversation or task as well as a human, leading to less accurate or relevant responses.
• Potential for errors: As with any automated system, there is a risk of errors or inaccuracies in Chat GPT responses, which can lead to confusion or frustration for the user.
• Data privacy concerns: The use of Chat GPT may raise concerns around data privacy and security, particularly if sensitive information is being shared or stored within the system.

The use of Chat GPT in Microsoft 365 can bring many potential benefits in terms of productivity, customer experience, and accessibility. However, it is important to carefully consider the potential drawbacks and ensure that the technology is being used in a way that aligns with the needs and values of the organisation and its users.

What does the future look like for Chat GPT & Microsoft?

The future for Chat GPT and Microsoft looks bright, with many opportunities for further innovation and collaboration. As the technology continues to evolve and mature, it has the potential to transform the way we work and communicate, bringing increased efficiency, productivity, and value to users.

Some potential areas for future development include:

• Deeper integration: Chat GPT could be integrated more deeply into other Microsoft products, such as Teams or Outlook, to provide a seamless and consistent user experience across the entire suite.
• Customisation: Chat GPT could be customised for specific industries or use cases, such as healthcare or finance, to better meet the needs of those users.
• Multilingual support: Chat GPT could be developed to support a wider range of languages, making it more accessible to users around the world.
• Improved context awareness: Chat GPT could be enhanced to better understand the context of a conversation or task, leading to more accurate and relevant responses.
• Increased scalability: Chat GPT could be scaled up or down to meet the needs of organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.

To make the most of Microsoft’s AI capabilities, get in touch to see how Changing Social can bring your organisation to the next level! We’re a Microsoft consultancy firm specialising in all aspects of the Microsoft suite. From change management and training services, to the Power Platform and Microsoft Viva – we do it all. To find out more, fill out the form to the right, or email us at?[email protected]

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