Microsoft embeds Copilot into Teams channels and adds automatic citations to Word
Microsoft has expanded its 365 Copilot Chat directly into Microsoft Teams chats, channels, calls, and meetings. The update is live across Windows, Mac, and web platforms, though mobile support remains pending. The release also introduces a scheduling feature. Users can now edit and manage timed Copilot prompts for future execution. In a separate update to Word, Copilot will now automatically generate citations when pulling in external information. This functionality requires a standard Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 license.
Until now, using Copilot to draft documents in Word often resulted in generic text with no clear origin, forcing users to manually verify claims or abandon the tool for ChatGPT. Meanwhile, catching up on chaotic Teams channels meant scrolling through dozens of messages or relying on basic meeting recaps that missed informal chatter. The addition of automatic citations in Word shifts Copilot from a basic text generator to a verifiable research assistant, directly addressing the trust issues that stall enterprise adoption. Embedding the chat function into Teams channels means users can now query the exact context of ongoing project discussions without leaving the interface.
Analysis
The Word citation update is the exact ammunition you need to prove Copilot's value and stop your team from secretly defaulting to ChatGPT. Stop manually verifying AI claims. Open a blank Word document today, prompt Copilot to draft a brief using external data, and use the auto-citations as your primary trust-building demo for skeptical colleagues.
Citation
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