What it is

A copilot is an AI tool that works alongside you rather than replacing you outright. It suggests, drafts, and automates bits of your workflow while you stay in the driver's seat. Microsoft slapped the name on everything, but the concept is broader: any AI that assists rather than takes over. GitHub Copilot writes code suggestions. Microsoft 365 Copilot drafts emails. You get the idea.

Why it matters for your job

Copilots are the Trojan horse of workplace AI. They start as helpful assistants, then gradually handle more and more of the job. The good news is they make you faster right now. The tricky bit is that "faster" eventually means fewer people needed. The workers who treat copilots as a productivity multiplier tend to become indispensable. The ones who ignore them become expensive.

What to do about it

If there's a copilot available for your tools, try it. Seriously. Most offer free trials. Use it for a week on real work and measure how much time it saves. Then make sure your boss knows you're the person who figured this out.