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Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot to Become Available for Teen Students

This summer, Microsoft is expanding availability of its Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot products for students aged 13 and older. Administrators will be able to grant access for students based on their institution's plans and preferences, the company announced in a blog post.

Copilot Chat provides free, secure AI chat powered by OpenAI's GPT-4o model, including features like file upload, image generation, Copilot Pages, and agents. Microsoft 365 Copilot adds the ability to integrate institutional data, work directly in productivity apps like Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel, and use advanced measurement and management tools. Both include enterprise data protection and IT controls.

A number of K-12 institutions participated in a Copilot Chat preview, introducing the technology to both educators and students and reporting back on their experiences. At Fulton County Schools in Georgia, for example, an AI task force evaluated more than 200 use cases to ensure alignment with district goals. "After initial training, educators introduced Copilot Chat as a thought partner, provided coaching on topics like prompting, and quickly saw student confidence and curiosity increase," Microsoft reported in the blog post. "Students used it to ideate, receive immediate feedback without judgment, design multimedia projects, identify and fix code errors, adjust content based on their preferences or pace, and manage their time. Educators are also now able to challenge them more than ever, and students are using Copilot Chat as a force multiplier to bring their ideas and passions to life in ways they couldn't previously imagine or access.

Other feedback from the preview included:

  • "If you're on the fence about AI, it comes down to this: Your students will surprise you. Given the chance, they'll use AI ethically and meaningfully. The key is to guide them — not restrict them. Show them what good use looks like." — Shane Tooley, assistant principal, curriculum, St. Peter Claver College (Australia)
  • "It's crucial to provide AI literacy courses and resources so that students can learn how to use AI responsibly. Furthermore, emphasizing the importance of privacy and security when using AI tools is vital. This not only helps students understand the ethical implications but also ensures they are well-prepared to navigate the digital world safely." —  Jorge Ledezma, director of educational technology, Santa Margarita Catholic High School
  • "Copilot Chat's use in education and document management has been incredibly beneficial in all teaching and learning processes. I look forward to continuing learning and exploring the potential of AI. I encourage my students to start with Copilot Chat, adjust information to their learning style, and to be specific in their prompts to achieve great results." — Lisvette Flores Quiñones, Department of Education, Puerto Rico

For more information, read the Microsoft blog.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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