What You Shouldn’t Use Copilot For (Yet)
Look, I love Copilot. It’s smart, it’s fast, and it’s saved my bacon more times than I can count. But just like that fancy new kitchen gadget you bought during a midnight scrolling spree, there are some things it’s just not great at yet.
And that’s okay! Copilot is a tool — not a magician. Knowing when not to use it is just as important as knowing when to lean on it.
So let’s get real. Here are a few spots where Copilot still needs a little human backup:
1. Nuanced Communication
Sending an email to a colleague? Copilot’s got your back. Breaking up with a vendor or navigating a sensitive customer situation? That’s where you come in. Copilot can mimic tone, but it doesn’t understand office politics or emotional nuance the way you do.
Same goes for those moments when you need to walk the line between being firm and being friendly. Whether you’re managing up, giving feedback, or resolving conflict — Copilot doesn’t know your audience like you do. And that’s a critical piece of effective communication.
2. Strategic Thinking
Copilot can summarize, suggest, and analyze — but it can’t dream. Strategic planning, big-picture decisions, or building relationships? That’s still your superpower. And frankly, that’s the fun stuff.
Want to map out a three-year roadmap for your business? Copilot might help you compile notes and trends, but the vision and prioritization still come from your brain. It can spark ideas, sure — but you’re the one who has to connect the dots.
3. Interpreting Messy Data
If your Excel file is clean and organized, Copilot shines. But toss in inconsistent formatting, merged cells, or custom formulas from the early 2000s, and… well, it might be time for some manual cleanup before the magic happens.
Copilot’s strength lies in structure. Give it a jungle of data, and it might get tangled. But once you lay the groundwork — clean sheets, clear columns — it becomes a powerful ally for data summaries, trends, and even visual recommendations.
4. Compliance and Legal Content
Need to draft a privacy policy or a contract clause? Don’t hand that entirely to Copilot. It’s a great starting point, but anything legal or compliance-related needs a real set of human eyes — preferably the legal kind.
AI can’t interpret the latest legal nuances or tailor language to your organization’s specific risk tolerance. It can’t tell you whether a contract clause might expose you to liability. Use it for drafts, yes — but always get final review from someone who passed the bar.
5. Personal Voice and Brand
If you’re creating something that represents your voice — like a blog (hey!), a presentation, or your company’s mission statement — Copilot can give you a rough draft. But the personality, the authenticity? That has to come from you.
Your voice is your signature. It’s how people connect with you. Copilot can help you get started, even suggest structure or phrasing — but you’ve got to polish it, tweak it, and make it yours. Think of it as a co-writer, not a ghostwriter.
Final Thoughts
Copilot is a powerful partner, but it’s not a mind reader. It doesn’t know your context, your history, or your gut instinct. You bring the heart and soul to the work. Copilot just helps you get there faster.
The trick is knowing where to let Copilot shine — and where to step in with your own expertise. Like any tool, it’s only as good as the person using it.
And that’s the beauty of it: we don’t need AI to do our jobs — we just need it to make our jobs easier. That’s why I use it. That’s why I teach others to use it. And that’s why I’m so excited about where it’s headed.
