Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword; it’s becoming your daily teammate. Whether you’re using Microsoft Copilot in your productivity suite or GitHub Copilot for code assistance, the difference between a helpful partner and a frustrating tool lies in how well it understands you.
The good news? You can train and tweak your Copilot to work with you, not against you. Here are 10 practical steps to personalise your Copilot experience and build a smarter, friendlier AI companion.
1. Define Your Objectives
Before you tweak settings or install plugins, get clear on what you want Copilot to help you with. Are you writing code, drafting emails, building presentations, or analysing data? Your goals will shape the kind of personalisation that matters most.
2. Train It with Your Context
The more context you provide, the better Copilot performs. Start by feeding it examples of your past work; your writing style, preferred coding patterns, or formatting choices. Many Copilot tools can learn from your files, repositories, or documents to make tailored suggestions.
3. Use Natural Language Intentionally
Copilot thrives on clarity. Use direct, specific prompts like “Summarise this email professionally” or “Write Python code to scrape a website.” Think of it like you’re giving instructions to a colleague who wants to help but needs details.
4. Leverage Custom Prompts and Templates
Create reusable prompts for tasks you do often. For example:
- “Summarise this meeting transcript in bullet points.”
- “Generate social media captions in a casual tone.”
Saving and reusing custom prompts makes Copilot faster and more aligned with your voice and workflow.
5. Curate Your AI Settings
Dive into your Copilot or AI tool settings:
- Adjust verbosity or tone preferences.
- Toggle off unwanted features or suggestions.
- Enable integrations with tools like Outlook, Teams, Excel, or VS Code.
Think of this as adjusting the knobs on your AI dashboard.
6. Integrate It into Your Workflow Naturally
Don’t force AI into every task. Instead, weave it into moments where it enhances your work:
- Drafting first versions.
- Troubleshooting code.
- Turning bullet points into paragraphs.
The more natural the integration, the more Copilot becomes a collaborator, not an obstacle.
7. Correct and Reinforce
AI learns through interaction. If Copilot gives you a wrong or awkward suggestion, don’t just delete it, correct it. Over time, especially in environments like GitHub or Microsoft 365, this kind of reinforcement improves results.
8. Sync With Your Teams
If you work in a team, align on how you use Copilot. Shared prompt templates, code commenting styles, and formatting preferences can make Copilot more consistent across your entire team and reduce friction.
9. Stay Security and Privacy Aware
You can’t have a trustworthy AI friend without trust. Make sure Copilot is configured to respect company data policies. Avoid feeding sensitive info into prompts unless you’re using a secure, enterprise-grade version of the tool.
10. Stay Curious and Keep Learning
Copilot evolves fast, therefore, so should your use of it. New features, integrations, and tricks are constantly being released. Make time to explore updates, follow AI best practices, and experiment with different ways to get the most out of your AI sidekick.
Final Thoughts
AI is about replacing people; Copilot, when personalised, stops being a generic tool and starts becoming an intuitive partner. Like any relationship, the bond between you and your AI takes a little care and attention. But with the right approach, you’ll find that Copilot isn’t here to replace you; it’s here to amplify what you do best.
Start with these steps, and you’ll turn your Copilot from foe to friend in no time.
