"Don't rely on Copilot," Microsoft says

Microsoft's artificial intelligence strategy is evident. Through the launch of Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft 365 Copilot and various other business tools under the Copilot brand, as well as the deep integration of the assistant into the Windows 11 operating system, the company is attempting to establish Copilot as an essential tool for daily life and professional work.

At Microsoft, all AI-related products are simply given Copilot branding. Meanwhile, Copilot is even making its presence felt on GitHub. Microsoft 365 marketing copy promises that the technology will handle tasks and draft content, thus massively increasing productivity. However, the Microsoft Copilot Terms of Service contain much more cautious phrasing, which contrasts sharply with the marketing message:

• Copilot is for entertainment purposes only. It can make mistakes, and it may not work as intended. Don’t rely on Copilot for important advice. Use Copilot at your own risk.
• WITHOUT LIMITING SECTION 12 OF THE MICROSOFT SERVICES AGREEMENT IN ANY WAY, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, WE DO NOT MAKE ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND ABOUT COPILOT. For example, we can’t promise that any Copilot’s Responses won’t infringe someone else’s rights (like their copyrights, trademarks, or rights of privacy) or defame them. You are solely responsible if you choose to publish or share Copilot’s Responses publicly or with any other person.

Consequently, Microsoft 365 Copilot is currently being dismissed as a laughing stock in forums and some media outlets. The only problem is that these Terms of Service apply exclusively to Microsoft Copilot as a 'chatbot'. They do not apply to business tools, Microsoft 365 Copilot or other paid services. These all have their own specific terms of use.

While some of these also contain reminders to verify Copilot's output, the phrase 'Copilot is for entertainment purposes only' cannot be found anywhere else. By releasing applications under the name 'Copilot' for both entertainment and productive purposes, Microsoft has manoeuvred itself into a difficult position.

Consequently, all the functions of the various AI applications are easily dismissed as mere 'Copilot features'. Here, the marketing team must address the negative perception associated with the free version. Uniform branding that cements its own unreliability in the fine print is a risky game to play with the reputation of the enterprise division.