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Faculty and staff: Help test Microsoft 365 Copilot

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The MU Division of IT is conducting a pilot project to evaluate the use of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Underway through September 2025, the pilot project will help evaluate the AI tool before it’s considered for use more broadly across the university.

The pilot project is open to University of Missouri and UM System faculty and staff. Participants will be able to utilize the generative AI features within Microsoft 365 programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more. A user license can be purchased for $360 using a departmental MoCode.

Data security and Copilot

AI-powered tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot have the potential to support and simplify everyday tasks. As these tools become more common, it’s important that we have guidelines in place to protect the security of private data that could unintentionally be compromised by AI services.

The data is protected within the Microsoft environment while using 365 Copilot. These tools utilize the data that we already have access to and do not use our data to teach any language models.

Note: Due to enhanced security requirements, Copilot is not approved for use at MU Health Care, the MU School of Medicine, the MU Sinclair School of Nursing and the MU College of Health Sciences. Individuals in these areas, as well as anyone who accesses protected health information, should refrain from using or purchasing Copilot while the software is under review.

How to join the pilot project

  1. Go to doitservices.missouri.edu and log in to the DoIT Service Portal using your University ID and password.
  2. Select the “Request Services” tile.
  3. Select the “Software” tile.
  4. Select the “Other” tile and fill out the form, indicating Microsoft 365 Copilot as the software name. Note that your department MoCode is required for purchase ($360).

Once your license has been activated, it may take up to 24 hours to sync with Microsoft. You should begin seeing prompts for Copilot in your various Microsoft 365 applications. You may need to close and reopen these applications a few times before these changes take effect.

Resources to help you understand the features of Copilot