Get AI support inside Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams
Copilot Premium is Microsoft's AI assistant, built into the Microsoft 365 apps you already use, like Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. It's available to eligible HMS users and approved for Level 3 data. Copilot draws on both the web and the Microsoft 365 content you have permission to access, such as your email and your files in SharePoint and OneDrive.
To get Copilot Premium, start with the AI tool training. Training opens the request form, where you choose your agent.
Eligibility
Available to email-eligible, Quad-based employees and to HMS and HSDM degree students.Email-eligible, Quad-based employees, as well as HMS and HSDM degree students, may use one AI tool. You also get access to the Harvard AI Sandbox after you complete your training.
Security
Approved for Level 3 data, or Level 2 in transcribed meetings; sign in with your HarvardKey.Copilot Premium runs in a secure, Harvard-approved environment and does not use your data to train vendor models. It is approved for most uses of data classified as Level 3 and below under the University risk classifications. Do not use Level 4 or Level 5 data in any tool.
When Copilot Premium acts as a meeting assistant (for example, when transcribing a meeting and generating notes), only Level 2 data may be discussed. Never discuss HIPAA or FERPA information in a transcribed or recorded meeting. For details, see HUIT’s AI assistant guidelines.
Even if an AI tool is approved for your data’s security level, contractual obligations related to the data, funding, and/or project may separately restrict use of AI or a specific AI tool or require the data provider or sponsor’s permission. Contact the Research Data Compliance team in the Office of Research Administration (ORA) at Data_ORA@hms.harvard.edu with questions about whether contractual restrictions may apply to your planned use of AI.
You sign in to Microsoft 365 with Copilot Premium with your HarvardKey.
Getting started
Steps to access and begin using Copilot Premium.Complete these steps to start using Copilot Premium:
- Complete AI tool training. Training covers data security levels, citing AI-generated content, and effective prompting.
- Get Sandbox access. Completing training automatically activates your Harvard AI Sandbox account.
- Request Copilot Premium. Choose Copilot Premium as your AI tool.
- Wait for provisioning. Requests go through HUIT and typically take three to five business days.
- Sign in. Use your HarvardKey to access Microsoft 365 and Copilot.
When to choose Copilot Premium
Working inside your Microsoft 365 mail, files, and meetings.Copilot Premium is best when your work lives in Microsoft 365. It has the deepest access to your Outlook mail, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, and writes directly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Use it for meeting notes, email and calendar management, and drafting and summarizing documents. Administrative, finance, and executive staff may prefer it.