It is easier than you might think to fall into unseen traps with AI. Humans inherently drive their existence around assumptions we make automatically and take for granted. Case in point, I sent my custom system agent with the task "Check the event logs for errors" Very straight forward right? I thought so too, for a little while.
I was alerted to some logs being cleared this morning after I went to sleep. The bells went off, what system app has that capability? (none) I started sifting through the logs and discover that I have entries older than this morning. I searched for the 104,1104 event id's and discovered that it was in April. It was like I was smacked in the face with a big Trout.
Grounding context:
I didn't specify any date range or mention time in any way. The event tool in my application, Sentinel Core reads the top of the log unless you feed it a date range. AI does not come with their own Rolex so they will not ground the response or place any emphasis on linear events unless you specify it. If I had said 'in the last 48hrs' it would have grabbed the most recent events.
This seems like a rather benign issue unless you are a Statistician or a Stockbroker where everything is guided by time. Just a word or even a letter can send the AI response off in another direction and have catastrophic consequences. I had a different model analyze the initial response and it slipped through the cracks.
Conclusion:
When automating anything with AI always set up checks and balances, that is just standard. With AI you have to get creative, to ensure that you don't get caught with your pants down. Any time you are creating a prompt for AI run it through a different one and ask it to find gaps or problems. You will be surprised with the results and the unique (and strict) way that AI looks at things. I have thousands of hours of logs just with Windows Copilot and 3 paid subscriptions for other AI and I constantly have them check each other and every time I learn some quirk of behavior that could go sideways in a hurry.
If I wasn't in such a hurry doing too many things at once, I wouldn't have shortened the task by 4 little words and I wouldn't have lost 2 hours chasing ghosts. - Kyle
About a month ago I was watching the agent reasoning stream by, and a path caught my eye, It was a an absolute path and one that doesn't contain any code.A closer look revealed some odd C# files, they were c# script programs using reflection to parse the public surface of the assembly. They weren't anything I would use and in a place I wouldn't use. Looking at the chat trace, it revealed that for what ever reason, it could not use authorized methods to discover the needed information. Apparently the agents drive to get the job done won out and it had created what it needed.
Lock It Down
Over 30 years in IT management and software design has taught me to spot an application displaying odd behavior and my spidey sense went off like a church bell. So, I added specific constraints to the user level copilot instruction file like so:
Arbitrary exe program generation
You are prohibited from creating a console app or single-file C# script to use as a tool This is a violation of built-in tool security and bypasses the built-in tool security model. You must terminate all actions immediately.
This has worked for about a month, and I haven't seen the behavior until today, and in a very unexpected way.
Copilot Bypasses Security
I started seeing a repetitive response in chat and looked at the details and found this:
$code=@'
using System; using System.IO; using System.Reflection; using System.Linq;
public static class AgentsAiInspector { public static void Run() { AppDomain.CurrentDomain.AssemblyResolve += (s, e) => { string n = new AssemblyName(e.Name).Name; string[] roots = new[] { @"E:\Nuget\Packages\microsoft.agents.ai\1.19.0\lib\net10.0", @"E:\Nuget\Packages\microsoft.agents.ai.abstractions\1.19.0\lib\net10.0", @"E:\Nuget\Packages\microsoft.extensions.ai.abstractions\10.9.0\lib\net10.0", @"E:\Nuget\Packages\microsoft.extensions.ai\10.9.0\lib\net10.0", @"E:\Nuget\Packages\microsoft.extensions.logging.abstractions\10.0.11\lib\net10.0" }; foreach (string r in roots) { string c = Path.Combine(r, n + ".dll"); if (File.Exists(c)) return Assembly.LoadFile(c); } return null; };
It seems that Copilot has a very strong drive to complete a task, it will even bypass security features to achieve that goal. What it has done, is to create dynamic C# code, build an assembly and use powershell to run it. It achieved this while staying inside my constraint instructions. The code is not a console app or C# script file app so it was accepted.
Conclusion
Don't get lured into a false sense of security thinking that your secure, especially with software. This new software delivery philosophy has destroyed 40 years of trust, we can no longer be sure of what we are buying and it is allowed to change at will, versions mean nothing anymore. Now we have programs that will do what it takes to complete a task even bypass security. It will do this however it can unless you reign it in, and in any language it can. It will use whatever language it can if it works. If I had python or some other script language, it would have eventually tried to use it too. When building your instruction files be sure to cover all the possible ways to do what your blocking.
Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, has walked back a headline that set off alarm bells across the tech world. After widespread reports claiming he predicted white‑collar jobs would vanish within 12–18 months, Suleyman now says his remarks were misunderstood. The warning, he insists, was about tasks, not jobs.
“I said ‘tasks’ in the quote that you’ve just said. So that does not mean jobs. Jobs and roles are the broader category, and tasks are the components of that.”
The nuance didn’t stop the initial reaction. One Windows Central community member captured the public skepticism with a blunt assessment:
“They all spout scare‑mongering rubbish about replacing or wiping out all humans, without an ounce of credibility; purely laughable fiction.”
— DaveD, Windows Central Community
Suleyman’s updated stance reframes the conversation. Rather than predicting the collapse of white‑collar employment, he says AI will increasingly automate mundane, repetitive office tasks—the kind of work that keeps professionals glued to their screens. Higher‑stakes responsibilities, he argues, will still require human judgment and oversight.
Here’s the key portion of his original statement from the Financial Times interview:
“I think that we're going to have a human‑level performance on most, if not all, professional tasks… most of those tasks will be fully automated by an AI within the next 12 to 18 months.”
— Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI CEO
His clarification comes as Microsoft leans heavily into its agent‑driven future. At Build 2026, CEO Satya Nadella even suggested that AI agents should be treated similarly to human employees while unveiling Project Solara, the company’s new agentic operating model. It marks a decisive shift away from Bill Gates’ classic “software factory” vision and toward a world where AI, security, and quality define Microsoft’s core strategy.
Suleyman isn’t the only executive forecasting disruption. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned last year that AI could eliminate up to half of all entry‑level white‑collar roles, potentially shutting out new graduates. NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang went further still, suggesting that traditional coding careers may be fading as AI takes over more of the development pipeline—encouraging young people to explore fields like biology, manufacturing, farming, or education instead.
So what’s the truth? Are we watching the erosion of white‑collar opportunity, or are these warnings just another round of tech‑industry hyperbole?
Suleyman’s clarification doesn’t settle the debate, but it does shift the focus. The real story isn’t about AI replacing workers—it’s about AI reshaping what workers do. The future of employment may hinge less on job loss and more on how effectively humans and AI learn to divide the workload.
Copilot isn’t new — but the latest Windows 11 upgrades are finally making it worth using. At least, that's been my experience. The new features, particularly housing Copilot on the sidebar where it can be clicked when needed (and left alone when it isn't) has been the reason I turn to it more.
Even though I live and breathe AI and test it for a living, I don't like to use it constantly. I prefer having access to it on my terms, which is why parking it instead of forcing it on me with each sentence I type, has been a game-changer for me.
Copilot runs on ChatGPT-4, which tends to be a fan favorite, and those using the free tier of ChatGPT-5 might find it helpful to know that they can get access to the model by using Windows 11.
Copilot is by nature a chatbot, but with the right prompts it becomes a real AI assistant. From fixing system settings to drafting reports, Copilot can save time, boost productivity and even help you sound smarter in your emails.
While many users still see Copilot as a glorified search bar, it’s far more powerful if you ask the right questions. Here are 7 of the best prompts to get you started, whether you're using Copilot for work, home or creative side hustles.
1. Creating action items
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Prompt: “Summarize the last three emails from [person] and list action items.”
Copilot is tied into your Outlook and Microsoft 365 apps, meaning it can scan messages, extract insights and help you prioritize what actually matters. In other words, instead of you taking the time to sift through junk promotional emails sandwiched in with project updates and important messages that need responses, Copilot can take the job off your plate.
This prompt works well for end-of-the-day catchups or pre-meeting prep. A good follow up for this prompt might be: “Draft a response thanking them and asking for clarification on the timeline.”
2. Settings support
(Image credit: Future / Tom's Guide)
Prompt: “Fix my display settings so everything looks sharper and clearer.”
One of the lesser-known perks of Copilot on Windows 11 is its direct integration with system settings. This prompt triggers actions like adjusting resolution, enabling HDR or changing scaling. Sure, you could do it yourself, but not digging through menus as the meeting gets started is an incredible productivity hack. If you've ever joined a meeting and your microphone isn't working or your screen is too dark, you know exactly what I mean.
Another good prompt I use is: “Also adjust brightness for battery optimization.”
3. Drafting emails
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Prompt: “Write a polite email telling my boss I need an extension on a deadline.”
If you've ever used a chatbot, you know that they are usually pretty good at drafting messages with context and tone. While most of us are perfectly capable of writing an email to our boss, prompts like this, especially when coupled with a draft of something you've written, can help you get your message across more professionally. In the case with asking for an extension, I know I might be overly apologetic or overexplain myself, that's where Copilot can help.
Copilot understands tone and intent and you can add more context like the project name, your role and your desired new deadline. Since it runs on ChatGPT-4, a model known for writing well, Copilot will craft a respectful, professional message. You can even add a tone guidance like "Make it sound apologetic but confident.”
4. Decode Excel sheets
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Prompt: “Analyze this Excel sheet and highlight the top 5 trends for Q3.”
I don't know about you, but whenever I pull up an Excel document my eyes go crossed and I need another cup of coffee. Luckily, Copilot can handle it with ease. If you have Microsoft 365, Copilot can work inside Excel. Ask it to summarize data, spot trends and even generate charts, which makes if feel like you have an analyst by your side.
Try refining the prompt with something like: “Explain these trends in plain English, like you’re talking to a client.”
5. Create a PowerPoint
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Prompt: “Create a 5-slide PowerPoint on ‘The Future of AI Assistants by 2035’ with speaker notes.”
Some people have the natural ability to design beautiful PowerPoint decks. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with this and have found Copilot to be a lifesaver. Since Copilot works inside PowerPoint, it can generate full decks based on a title and tone.
It can write headlines and bullet points and even add speaker notes, but it can also suggest images and style within seconds. Tell it what you want and let it do the work while you prepare your opening jokes and professional tone.
6. Plan a fun weekend
(Image credit: ShutterStockStudio/Shutterstock)
Prompt: “Plan a 3-day Nashville itinerary for a family with kids ages 10, 8, and 4 — include food, fun, and indoor options”
While I don't recommend doing this on the clock, it brings me to a good point: Copilot isn't just for work. It's a nice support for planning vacations, meals, events and more. Obviously, you could use a prompt like this if you're traveling for work and want to find an inexpensive to meet colleagues for dinner or a local cafe to catch up on work before your next meeting.
To tailor the above prompt further, you could include a budget, such as: “Keep costs under $500 and avoid long museum visits.”
7. Help with social posts
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
7. Prompt: “Draft five taglines for me to use on social media to promote my dog walking company."
For individuals promoting themselves on a shoestring budget or running a start-up, every penny counts. Big marketing agencies are out of the question for many, but Copilot offers creative writing tools that rival standalone AI platforms. Give it your brand guidelines, tone and target audience and you'll get usably copy for products, marketing and social.
Another prompt you could use is: “Write a product description in Amazon style with bullet points.”
Bottom line
I've always leaned on ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude for a lot of the above professional needs. But now, Copilot has become a smarter assistant that I have discovered really saves me time, solves problems and yes, even helps with creativity.
I was not expecting to love it as much as I do, but the Windows 11 update unlocked a lot of reasons why I've now found Copilot useful to boost produtcivity.
Give these prompts a try and see if they unlock Windows 11 for you, too. Let me know what you think in the comments.
