Microsoft 365 Copilot Proves Real-World Value in UK Government Trial
While OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominates the consumer AI assistant space, the race for enterprise adoption is still wide open — with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Gemini both vying for a leading role.
A recent trial by the UK Government Digital Service (GDS) gave 20,000 civil servants across 12 departments access to Microsoft 365 Copilot to test its real-world impact. The results were promising: on average, users saved 26 minutes per day , which adds up to about two weeks of productivity per year .
Key findings:
- Over 70% of users reported faster completion of routine tasks.
- 82% said they wouldn’t want to return to working without Copilot.
- Tasks like drafting documents, email management, and report writing became significantly more efficient.
UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle commented during his SXSW keynote:
“These findings show that AI isn’t just a future promise – it’s a present reality.”
The study also highlights an important shift in the AI industry — moving beyond model benchmarks toward making existing tools more accessible and integrated into daily workflows. Microsoft 365 Copilot does this well, offering AI assistance within widely used platforms like Word, Excel, and Outlook.
You can read the full UK government report here .
