Google and MS Apply Generative AI to Business Software
AI Assistant Integrated into Computers... "Enhancing Work Productivity"
By simply entering a command, a Word document can be converted into a PowerPoint presentation complete with a speech script. If you provide an Excel file containing only numbers, it analyzes the key trends. This is the result of Microsoft (MS) and Google applying generative artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT to office software (SW). It means that each user's computer will have an AI assistant to help with office tasks.
On the 16th (local time), MS unveiled MS 365 Copilot at the event "The Future of Work with AI." Copilot means co-pilot, implying an AI assistant that helps the human pilot with tasks. It utilizes GPT-4, a large-scale AI recently released by the U.S. AI startup OpenAI.
Copilot is integrated into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (email), and Teams (collaboration tool). When using each software, a chat window appears where users can interact with Copilot. Users simply type the desired task into the chat window.
For example, if you ask it to "write an invitation email to clients for a new product launch event," it quickly drafts the email. You can even choose the length and tone. It can summarize and edit documents created in Word. If you open an Excel file containing quarterly results and ask it to "analyze the key trends," it provides the results. During a video meeting on Teams, if you lose track of the conversation, you can ask, "Please tell me what was discussed," and it will summarize it.
Interoperability between different software is also possible. If you ask, "Please create a 10-slide PowerPoint from a Word document," it produces it within seconds. The AI selects slide designs and finds appropriate images to insert. It even adds a script for the presenter.
MS plans to embed Copilot in all office software products within a few months. Specific details such as the exact release date and pricing have not been disclosed. Satya Nadella, MS CEO, explained, "Copilot saves time on document creation, sourcing, and editing," adding, "Just as it is unimaginable to use a computer without a keyboard and mouse, it will become difficult to imagine a computer without AI models like Copilot."
Google also previously unveiled generative AI features integrated into its office software. AI supports work in Google Workspace, including Google Docs, Gmail, Google Slides, and Google Sheets.
Similar to MS, entering a topic in Gmail or Google Docs automatically generates a draft. With just a click, it can expand or condense email content. It can change the tone to be more humorous or professional. It summarizes multiple email exchanges and rewrites them as briefings or campaign phrases. It can also convert these into presentation documents in Google Slides.
Using generative AI in office software is expected to enhance productivity. Ha Jung-woo, head of Naver Cloud AI Lab, said via Facebook, "Beyond software, it showed a powerful vision for work tools by utilizing data owned by individuals or companies and providing an easy user experience (UX)."
However, MS repeatedly emphasized the possibility of errors. They explained that human verification is still necessary even when AI assists with tasks. Gerard Spataro, MS Vice President, said, "Sometimes Copilot will be 'helpfully' wrong," adding, "Although not perfect, it provides users with a favorable starting point." This means that even if Copilot produces inaccurate or false content, users can simply review and correct the draft, making it still a useful tool.
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