What it means
A copilot sits alongside a person inside their normal work: a code editor, a CRM, a document tool or an internal app. It suggests the next line of code, drafts a reply, summarizes a record or explains a figure. The person accepts, edits or ignores the suggestion.
The difference from an agent is who drives. With a copilot, the person decides every action. With an agent, the software takes several steps on its own, usually with approval points.
Why it matters for a business
Copilots are often the safest first step with AI, because nothing happens without a person choosing it. They work best in tasks people repeat many times a day, where small time savings add up across a team.
A business example
Things to watch
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Suggestions can be wrong, so people should read before accepting.
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Measure time saved on real tasks, not impressions.
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Check what data the copilot can see and where it is sent.