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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- College students can get Copilot free for a year.
- They can sign up through Oct. 31 to redeem it.
- After the trial, they can save 50% off the monthly price.
College students aren’t being left behind in the AI race. Microsoft is providing students and faculty with the tools to build their AI skill sets in a sweeping new initiative, it announced at the White House’s AI Education Task Force meeting.
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“We believe delivering on the real promise of AI depends on how broadly it’s diffused. This requires investment and innovation in AI education, training, and job certification,” it wrote in a press release.
How to get free Copilot AI
The tech giant is offering free Copilot in Microsoft 365 to college students for a full year. After the 12-month free trial, students can continue with Microsoft 365 Personal at a discounted rate of $4.99 per month, saving more than 50% off the regular price.
To claim the offer, visit this Microsoft page and register. The promotion runs through Oct. 31 and includes access to Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, along with 1TB of cloud storage. Full- and part-time students at accredited colleges and universities are eligible with a school email address or other accepted documentation.
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Ninety-two percent of students are already using AI, according to recent findings. The one-year offer gives students a tool they’re already depending on in the classroom, free of charge.
Microsoft will also offer free LinkedIn AI courses and Copilot access to students and teachers, with a focus on providing the tools safely and with age-appropriate safeguards in place. With this announcement, Microsoft also adds 100 AI courses to LinkedIn for professionals to take and build their AI skill sets.
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Through Microsoft’s partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Applied AI Consortium, Microsoft is sponsoring no-cost AI webinars and certifications for community college staff. Thirty community colleges will receive grants for AI learning initiatives, where they will learn how to integrate generative AI and Microsoft Copilot into their faculty. Faculty and staff will submit an application to be considered for the skills training.
Fastest-growing chatbot
The new AI skills offerings will get Copilot in the hands of even more users — not that it needs it. Within the past few months, Copilot has become the fastest-growing chatbot, with usage surging by more than 175%.