Explore Generative AI with Microsoft Copilot Chat for Wake Forest

As with all new and emerging technologies, we encourage you to work with your instructors or supervisors to understand expectations for leveraging these or other AI tools in any academic or business work. Use caution when providing any data, and do not share personal or sensitive information in queries. 

Microsoft Copilot Chat is a conversational standalone chat service that lets you search for specific information, generate text such as emails and summaries, and create images based on text prompts you write. Copilot uses GPT-4 and DALL-E, also found in the paid, "ChatGPT Pro" subscriptions, but available at no cost through WFU licensing.

We are still working to review these tools and advise on their use, but experimentation and exploration can be useful learning exercises as AI tools continue to develop in scope and sophistication. 

How to access Microsoft Copilot Chat, available for all Wake Forest students, faculty and staff.

1. If you don't already have a Microsoft license, make a quick Microsoft365 license request. Your license should be available within seconds. 
2. Head over to copilot.microsoft.com and sign in with your WFU email address and password. 
3. Consider installing the Copilot chat app for iOS or Android. Sign in with your WFU account to ensure your data is protected. 

Note: At this time, Copilot is not available for full integration with other Microsoft365/Office apps (sometimes referred to as Copilot Pro).

Commercial Data Protection for WFU sessions 

One advantage of Copilot chat over other genAI chat tools is its “commercial data protection” when logged in through your WFU account, which provides additional assurances that your data will remain within Wake Forest "walls" and will not be used to train Copilot models. To ensure CDP is turned on for you, look for the protected label after you log in:

Learning Resources

From Microsoft:

LinkedIn Learning has many courses on working with genAI, but it could be helpful to review Nick Brazzi's course, Steamlining Your Work With Microsoft Copilot, in particular. Sign in with your LIL WFU account to access this and other rich learning resources. And, to further illustrate Copilot Chat's potential, take a look at some of our sample queries, below. 🎩

Sample Copilot Chat Queries

1. Compose a limerick about Wake Forest University 
   In Winston-Salem, where minds ignite, Wake Forest stands bold, day and night. “Pro Humanitate,” they say, For humanity’s sway, Their compassion and knowledge take flight. 🌿 
2. Suggest good kid-friendly activities in our nation's capitol. 
   Certainly! Washington, D.C. offers a plethora of kid-friendly activities. Here are some delightful options:  Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: A must-visit zoo where kids can marvel at creatures in exhibits like Amazonia and the Cheetah Conservation Station. Daily programs include kids’ farmkeepers talks and animal meet-and-greets 
   United States Botanic Garden: Escape urban life at this green oasis. Kids will love the Butterfly Garden and interactive activities in the Children’s Garden. Resources for young botanists include a regional garden field journal and a plants and food passport 
   Explore the National Mall: Visit iconic monuments like the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (where you can “fly” with the stars). Don’t miss watching planes take off and land at Gravelly Point 
   Feel free to explore these family-friendly options and enjoy your time in our nation’s capital! 😊🇺🇸 
3. Show an illustration of someone connecting to wifi on their mobile device.
   
4. Find a lime and garlic chicken recipe from Cooking Light magazine in the year 2001.
   

Garlic-Lime Chicken Thighs
Ingredients:

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 to 2 1/4 pounds total)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

Zest and juice of 2 medium limes

1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, garlic powder, lime zest, and kosher salt.
3. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken thighs.
4. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken thighs, skin-side down. Let them cook for a few minutes until the skin is crispy.
5. Flip the chicken thighs and add the remaining minced garlic, lime juice, and water to the skillet.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
8. Serve these flavorful garlic-lime chicken thighs with your favorite side dishes like cilantro lime rice, taco slaw, or corn and avocado pasta salad. Enjoy! 🍗🌿🍋