Now You Can Talk to the Co-Pilot on Telegram
Generative AI applications like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are known as chatbots because you have to talk to them. So, I think it’s only natural that chat apps want to add chatbots to their platforms – regardless of whether users actually use them.
Telegram is the latest such app to add a chatbot. Do you prefer a chatbot? Second pilot . While Copilot has appeared on other Microsoft-owned platforms before, Telegram is one of the first third-party apps to offer Copilot functionality directly, although it certainly isn’t obvious if you open the app today.
When I first learned about Telegram’s integration with Copilot, I launched the app and got nothing. This is not unusual for new features, as they usually roll out gradually to users over time. However, as it turns out, accessing Copilot in Telegram is a bit confusing. In fact, you need to search for Copilot using the Telegram username @CopilotOfficialBot. Don’t just search for “Co-Pilot” as you will find many unauthorized options. I don’t recommend chatting with random bots you come across on Telegram, and certainly not those masquerading as the real deal.
You can also access it from Microsoft’s ” Copilot for Telegram ” site. You’ll need to open the link on the device you’re using Telegram on, as selecting “Try Now” will redirect it to Telegram.
Whichever way you launch the Copilot bot, you’ll end up in a new chat with Copilot. The splash screen tells you that Copilot on Telegram is in beta testing and prompts you to click “Start” to use the bot. Once you do this, you will be warned about the risks of using AI. ( Hallucinations happen all the time , after all.) Click “I Accept” to continue. You can start sending messages without accepting them, but the bot will simply respond with the original invitation to accept, so if you want to achieve anything, you’ll need to agree to the terms.
From here, you will need to verify the phone number you use on Telegram. Click “Send My Mobile Number,” then click “OK” in the pop-up window to share your phone number with Copilot. You don’t need to wait for a confirmation message: once you provide your number, you’re done.
Hence Copilot, but in Telegram. You can ask the bot questions and requests on a variety of topics and tasks, and the bot will answer you in kind. This version of the bot is connected to the Internet, so it can search information for you in real time, but you can’t use the Copilot image generator here. If you try, the bot will redirect you to the main Copilot website, iOS or Android app.
There’s nothing special here related to Telegram other than a feature that will send your friends an invitation to try Copilot. Plus, you only have 30 “turns” per day, so keep that in mind before you get too carried away with socializing.
Ultimately, it looks like Microsoft is trying to get Copilot into the hands of more users. You might not download the Copilot app yourself, but if you’re an avid Telegram user, you might be curious enough to try using the bot between conversations. I suspect this won’t be the last Copilot integration we’ll see from Microsoft as the company continues to expand its artificial intelligence strategy .