Supercharge Accessibility with Microsoft 365 Copilot

Abstract image of Copilot running through Microsoft apps, with braille and hearing aid images

Departments can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 (M365) for use by faculty and staff. The AI-powered assistant integrated into M365 applications (including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) enhances user productivity and streamlines workflows. With Copilot, digital accessibility isn’t an add-on or afterthought. It’s built in to facilitate digital work for those with different mobility, sensory, cognitive, or language abilities. Leveraging natural language commands, Copilot for M365 can support the accessibility of your entire workflow.

Here's a taste of what it can do:

Generate first drafts of emails, including adding attachments and recipients
Create presentation slides, including graphics, formatting, and speaker notes
Summarize long documents and videos
Use dictation to generate first drafts of documents or notes
Generate live transcripts in meetings, including describing what's on a slide
Suggest edits to improve the clarity and readability of complex text
Auto-translate content in any app into one of over 40 supported languages
Execute complex Excel functions and formulas using descriptive prompts

Whether you’re drafting emails, creating presentations, or fostering accessibility in your department, Copilot for M365 makes it possible to do more — and do it better.

Learn About Accessibility Support in Microsoft 365 Copilot

Budget pages with a calculator, pen, and glasses on them.

Revolutionizing the Annual Budget Letter Process

Innovation is a way of life here at Pitt. Recently, Pitt IT partnered with the Office of Budget Operations (OBO) to transform their annual Target Letter process. This collaboration has resulted in a more efficient, automated approach. Read about this success.

Optimize Your Web Experience:
Update Your Browser

Ensure your web browser is up to date to enhance both efficiency and security by keeping your software optimized and secure. Enable automatic updates in your browser settings and consider restarting your browser daily. To retain your open tabs after restarting, activate the setting to reopen previous tabs upon launch.

New Standard for AI at the University

Pitt IT has issued a new standard governing the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools at the University. These standards are designed to promote responsible use of University private and restricted data with generative AI tools within our community. Review the standard here to ensure you’re up-to-date with the best practices and compliance.

Facing the Future: PASTA Tackles Generative AI’s Impact on Higher Education

By Prof. Michael J. Madison, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

PASTA heads into 2025 challenged by the pace and breadth of developments in Generative AI. The themes driving PASTA conversations and connections are deepening. For example, an early issue — “how to make Pitt faculty and staff aware of the power and limitations of AI tools” — is slowly being matched by the more advanced question: “How should Pitt maintain its core commitments to humane research and teaching in the face of widespread AI use?” AI is turning out to be more than “simply” another tech tool; it may challenge the very meaning and purpose of higher education. How and why do we search for and share knowledge when AI providers promise to do all of that and more, essentially for free?

PASTA members are acutely aware of a core tenet of economics: There is no such thing as a free lunch. But who pays, literally and metaphorically, and when, and how much? As a group of self-identified faculty and staff volunteers motivated to dig into AI questions, PASTA members are especially knowledgeable not only about what AI systems can and cannot do but also about the limits of their knowledge. We anticipate that the year ahead will see PASTA start to move faster, generating more and different AI-themed collaborative research and teaching projects.

Traveling Over Spring Break

If you're planning to enjoy a vacation while the students are off, take a few precautions to keep yourself, your stuff, and your devices safe while you're away with these tech travel tips:

Don’t post your location or travel agenda on social media. Posting where you are and where you’re headed can make you a target.
Check in consistently with fellow travelers. Create a group chat to coordinate schedules so no one gets separated. Use the Rave Guardian App Safety Timer if you go off on your own.
Protect your devices from the elements. Protect your devices from extreme temperatures, sun, and sand. Bring it to room temp before using, and use a waterproof pouch if taking devices into wet environments.
Keep your laptop in the carry-on. It's a little heavier and bulkier, but it's advised to keep laptops in your carry on to keep it safe, secure, and undamaged.

Panther Bytes to Nibble On

Check out these bite-sized blogs about tech topics you should know.

LinkedIn Learning: Bite-Sized Courses with a Big Impact

All Pitt faculty and staff have access to the full range of LinkedIn Learning courses at no cost. Here are some of the newest and most popular courses on the platform.

Making Your Anxiety Work for You
Copilot+ PC: On Device AI with a New Class of Computers
Apple Intelligence: First Look
Marketing Analytics Foundations
Being Positive at Work