For more about Copilot Chat, including Data Classification, Privacy, and FERPA information, see the Service Catalog.
Log into Copilot Chat with your UMass Amherst account at copilot.microsoft.com Select Sign in with Work or School account.
Data protections only apply when you log in with you UMass account.
University data is not approved for use with non-UMass Copilot accounts or in public Copilot used without an account.
UMass Amherst Copilot Chat can be used with level 3 or lower data.
As defined by the Faculty Senate Rules Committee, the use of generative AI platforms to complete academic work in any way is prohibited unless otherwise noted by the instructor.
Instructors may allow certain levels of AI usage in their courses and are encouraged to address AI in their course syllabus. All UMass Amherst instructors are encouraged to include a statement in their syllabus to clarify their expectations and policies around the use of AI. Example statements are available on the CTL’s page on AI usage, ranging from completely disallowing AI to allowing certain AI usage with attribution.
If instructors require students to use generative AI tools for academic work, only tools that have been approved by IT for the level of data, such as Microsoft Copilot Chat, should be used.
When using Copilot Chat, you have the option to choose from three conversation styles.
Precise Mode: This mode focuses on providing shorter, search-focused answers.
Balanced Mode: Balanced Mode offers responses that are moderately detailed, providing shorter answers with a bit more context than Precise Mode.
Creative Mode: Creative Mode provides users with longer and more descriptive responses.
Copilot Chat’s output will be determined by the prompts entered by users. Visit the IDEAS page on Generative AI text platforms to learn more about what makes an AI prompt effective.
Please note: Copilot Chat is a new text generation tool and is prone to mistakes, sometimes called hallucinations or fabrications. Copilot Chat and other AI resources can provide incorrect or harmful responses and are not free of unintended biases. It is your responsibility to review all outputs from Copilot Chat carefully for accuracy and other potential issues.