Microsoft Announces Copilot Chat for Students Aged 13 and Older, Enhancing AI Learning Opportunities
Microsoft has officially announced that Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot will be available for students aged 13 and older this summer, aiming to provide AI-powered tools that will help students advance their learning and prepare for a future shaped by technology.
The release is supported by strong enterprise data protection and IT controls, ensuring that educational institutions can adopt the tools with confidence and security.
These new tools bring a wealth of learning opportunities, with Copilot Chat acting as a personal assistant for students, offering real-time guidance and insights. Powered by GPT-4o, the tool can help students ask complex questions, receive immediate feedback, and engage in creative, personalized learning experiences.
With growing demand for AI and uniquely human skills in the workforce, LinkedIn's recent report emphasizes the importance of preparing students for the future by equipping them with AI literacy.
Increasing Student Agency Through Copilot Chat
Microsoft’s preview of Copilot Chat revealed significant improvements in student engagement and academic agency. Educators and institutions have shared positive feedback about how AI tools are helping students work through tasks, develop critical thinking, and foster creativity.
Fulton County Schools, for example, laid the groundwork for AI implementation through an AI task force, evaluating over 200 use cases. Following initial training, educators found that Copilot Chat enhanced student confidence, curiosity, and productivity, allowing students to ideate, receive feedback without judgment, and collaborate more effectively on multimedia projects.
With Copilot Chat, students were empowered to fix code errors, adjust content to their preferences, and manage time efficiently, demonstrating the potential of AI as a thought partner in the classroom.
Similarly, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) found that Copilot Chat significantly reduced teachers’ administrative workload, freeing up more time for student-centered learning. The AI tool supported project-based work and allowed for more personalized, engaging experiences.
Shane Tooley, Assistant Principal at BCE, said, “The real promise of Copilot Chat isn’t efficiency—it’s cognition. It’s helping us push students beyond knowledge recall into evaluation, synthesis, and justification.”
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Empowering Educators and Schools with AI Training
Microsoft has launched the School of Hospital Transformation to support educators in integrating AI tools like Copilot Chat into their teaching. Co-developed programs aim to democratize AI adoption across various levels of digital fluency.
Copilot Chat, integrated with Microsoft 365, includes features such as file upload, image generation, Copilot Pages, and agents, offering a versatile learning tool while ensuring data protection and IT controls for students and educators.
Microsoft's AI tools, including Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot, are improving student engagement and career readiness at universities like Indiana University and Miami Dade College. As Copilot Chat becomes available to students 13 and older this summer, educators will need to manage access.
These tools integrate with apps like Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint, offering enhanced functionality. Microsoft is also providing resources to help students and educators adapt to the evolving educational landscape.
