Choosing the Right AI Tool for Your Role  

AI tools can significantly improve efficiency, productivity, and decision-making in relation to work tasks. However, not all tools are equally suited for every role or context. Some tools, like Microsoft 365 Copilot, are deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 environment, making them ideal for roles that rely heavily on Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and SharePoint, etc. Others, such as Copilot Chat or ChatGPT, offer flexible conversational experiences for brainstorming, writing assistance, or data synthesis without being tied to institutional data. Tools that allow access to multiple models provide additional flexibility and customization for advanced users who may require different types of reasoning or model behavior.

When selecting a tool, it’s important to match the capabilities of the AI with the needs of your role. For instance, if you’re regularly working with structured data in Excel, Microsoft 365 Copilot might serve you best because it is integrated with Excel. If you’re drafting research summaries or developing new content, ChatGPT or Copilot Chat may be more appropriate. For teams or users who want to experiment with different language models, multi-model tools can offer more flexibility. AI tools are less effective in roles that rely primarily on real-time decision-making, physical presence, or hands-on tasks. These situations often involve unpredictable conditions, safety risks, or precise steps that require human judgment and awareness—things AI tools aren’t able to handle reliably. However, even for hands-on roles, AI tools can be valuable for documentation, correspondence and reports, etc., depending on the extent to which these tasks are performed.

For each of these use cases, it is essential to acknowledge that Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 Copilot, ChatGPT and multi-model tools are AI tools. Careful consideration must be given to the type of data utilized by them, and regardless of the tool, humans must remain in control. Always critically review the output of AI tools, verify facts, and make final decisions based on human judgment.

This guide provides a starting point for AI tool selection, but experimentation and evolving needs may shape individual preferences. Encourage open conversation within your teams about what works best and foster a culture of responsible and creative AI use.