'%3e%3cg%20transform='translate(0%200)'%20clip-path='url(%23a)'%3e%3cpath%20d='M115.449,63.552a36.148,36.148,0,0,1-5.422-.418A43.162,43.162,0,0,1,86.866,51.671L65.554,31.142,49.589,47.105a4.338,4.338,0,1,1-6.136-6.132L59.3,25.118l-6.5-6.266A4.342,4.342,0,1,1,58.82,12.6l6.623,6.377L81.894,2.521a4.356,4.356,0,0,1,6.147,0,4.36,4.36,0,0,1,0,6.144L71.7,25,92.853,45.379a34.433,34.433,0,0,0,18.512,9.167,26.307,26.307,0,0,0,4.047.32,24.116,24.116,0,0,0,10.812-2.548c5.818-2.9,10.991-8.25,15.376-15.906a4.322,4.322,0,0,1,5.92-1.616,4.338,4.338,0,0,1,1.617,5.92c-5.25,9.183-11.661,15.7-19.051,19.377a32.516,32.516,0,0,1-14.636,3.459'%20transform='translate(12.691%200.377)'%20fill='%23fff'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M155.17,40.416a4.926,4.926,0,1,1,4.926-4.926,4.932,4.932,0,0,1-4.926,4.926'%20transform='translate(45.206%209.196)'%20fill='%23ab00f1'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M44.06,0a4.346,4.346,0,0,0-4.341,4.341V6.218l-1.3-.952A23.922,23.922,0,0,0,24.2.63a24.2,24.2,0,0,0,0,48.4,23.95,23.95,0,0,0,14.242-4.645l1.2-.882.1,1.49a4.336,4.336,0,0,0,8.663-.3V4.341A4.346,4.346,0,0,0,44.06,0M24.2,40.339A15.514,15.514,0,1,1,39.719,24.825,15.532,15.532,0,0,1,24.2,40.339'%20transform='translate(0%200)'%20fill='%23fff'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M103.077.481a24.2,24.2,0,1,0,24.2,24.2,24.229,24.229,0,0,0-24.2-24.2m0,39.717a15.516,15.516,0,1,1,15.514-15.516A15.535,15.535,0,0,1,103.077,40.2'%20transform='translate(23.732%200.145)'%20fill='%23fff'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M164.56,35.221a4.349,4.349,0,0,1-4.344-4.344V23.9a15.209,15.209,0,1,0-30.419,0,4.342,4.342,0,1,1-8.685,0,23.895,23.895,0,0,1,47.789,0v6.982a4.349,4.349,0,0,1-4.342,4.344'%20transform='translate(36.441%200)'%20fill='%23fff'%3e%3c/path%3e%3cpath%20d='M46.655,10.867A4.926,4.926,0,1,1,51.582,5.94a4.932,4.932,0,0,1-4.926,4.926'%20transform='translate(12.556%200.305)'%20fill='%23ab00f1'%3e%3c/path%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Introduction
AI comes with a lot of new language. Some terms are technical, some are used differently by different suppliers, and some can make simple ideas sound more complicated than they need to be.
This glossary gives you a clear starting point. It explains common AI terms in plain English, so you can feel more confident when reading about AI, discussing Microsoft Copilot, reviewing proposals or planning adoption across your organisation.
Who this glossary is for
This glossary is for anyone who wants a quick, plain-English reference to AI and Microsoft Copilot terminology. It is particularly useful for leaders, managers, project teams and everyday users who need to understand the language used in proposals, supplier conversations, internal communications and adoption planning.
Core AI terms
Artificial intelligence
Plain-English meaning
Technology that can carry out tasks that normally need human thinking, such as writing, summarising, analysing information or suggesting ideas.
Generative AI
Plain-English meaning
A type of AI that can create new content, including text, images, summaries, ideas, drafts and answers.
Prompt
Plain-English meaning
The instruction or question you give to an AI tool. Clear prompts usually produce more useful results.
Output
Plain-English meaning
The response or result produced by an AI tool after you give it a prompt.
Large language model
Plain-English meaning
An AI system trained to work with language. It can produce written responses by recognising patterns in information.
Microsoft Copilot terms
These terms help explain the Microsoft Copilot experience in a simple way, especially for organisations that are comparing options, preparing their Microsoft 365 environment or supporting users with adoption.
Microsoft Copilot
Plain-English meaning
Microsoft's AI assistant that helps users work more efficiently across Microsoft tools, depending on the licence, app and setup.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Plain-English meaning
The Copilot experience that works across Microsoft 365 apps and can help users with tasks such as drafting, summarising, preparing and finding information.
Copilot Chat
Plain-English meaning
A chat-based AI experience where users can ask questions, create content, summarise information or get help with tasks.
Grounding
Plain-English meaning
The way Copilot uses relevant information, context or source content to help produce a more useful response.
Microsoft Graph
Plain-English meaning
The Microsoft service that connects information across Microsoft 365, such as users, files, emails, chats, meetings and permissions.
Tenant
Plain-English meaning
Your organisation's Microsoft 365 environment. It includes users, licences, settings, security controls and business data.
Licence
Plain-English meaning
The subscription or permission that gives a user access to specific Microsoft services or Copilot features.
Prompting
Plain-English meaning
The skill of giving Copilot clear instructions, context and expectations so it can produce a more useful result.
Copilot adoption
Plain-English meaning
The process of helping users understand, trust and use Copilot in practical ways that support their role and business goals.
Axon IT takeaway: Copilot terminology is easier to understand when it is connected to real business use. Axon IT can help customers make sense of the different Copilot options, check what applies to their Microsoft 365 environment and support users with practical guidance.
Data, security and governance terms
These terms are important because AI tools often work with existing business information. Understanding how data, permissions and governance fit together helps organisations use AI more safely and confidently.
Data
Plain-English meaning
The information an organisation creates, stores and uses. This could include documents, emails, spreadsheets, meeting notes, customer records or internal knowledge.
Data quality
Plain-English meaning
How accurate, useful and up to date information is. Poor-quality data can make AI outputs less reliable.
Information access
Plain-English meaning
Who can see, open or use certain information. AI can only be used safely when access is managed properly.
Permissions
Plain-English meaning
The settings that control what users can view, edit, share or manage. Permissions are especially important because AI may surface information a user already has access to.
Sensitive information
Plain-English meaning
Information that needs extra care, such as personal data, financial details, customer information, commercial details or confidential business content.
Security
Plain-English meaning
The tools, settings and processes used to protect systems, information and users from risk.
Governance
Plain-English meaning
The rules, responsibilities and processes that help an organisation manage how information and technology are used.
Responsible AI
Plain-English meaning
Using AI in a way that is safe, fair, transparent and appropriate, with people checking important outputs before they are used.
Policy
Plain-English meaning
A written set of rules or guidance that explains how people should use AI within the organisation.
Human review
Plain-English meaning
The process of checking AI outputs before using them, especially when information is sensitive, customer-facing or business-critical.
Axon IT takeaway: AI is most useful when it works with information that is organised, protected and managed properly. Axon IT can help organisations review permissions, improve governance and give users clear guidance before wider adoption.
Adoption and training terms
These terms are useful when planning how people will learn about AI, build confidence and start using it in a way that supports everyday work.
Adoption
Plain-English meaning
The process of helping people understand, trust and use AI in their everyday work, so it becomes useful rather than just available.
Change management
Plain-English meaning
The way an organisation supports people through a change, including communication, training, feedback and leadership support.
Pilot group
Plain-English meaning
A small group of users who test AI first, share feedback and help the organisation learn before a wider rollout.
AI champion
Plain-English meaning
A person who helps colleagues learn, shares useful examples and encourages confident, responsible AI use.
Role-based training
Plain-English meaning
Training that shows people how AI applies to their specific role, team or department.
Use case
Plain-English meaning
A practical example of how AI can help with a real task, process or business challenge.
Quick win
Plain-English meaning
A simple, useful AI opportunity that can show value quickly and help build confidence.
Success measures
Plain-English meaning
The ways an organisation checks whether AI is creating value, such as saving time, improving consistency or supporting better outcomes.
Axon IT takeaway: Adoption language matters because AI success is not just about technology. Axon IT can help customers plan communications, training, champions and measurement so people feel supported and confident as AI becomes part of everyday work.
How to use this glossary
This glossary is designed to be a quick reference, not something people need to read from start to finish. Use it whenever AI language feels unclear, when teams are discussing Microsoft Copilot, or when you want to give people a simple explanation before moving into more detailed planning.
For leaders
Use the glossary to build a shared understanding before making decisions about AI tools, readiness, governance or investment.
For managers
Use it to explain key terms to your team, support internal conversations and help people feel more confident about what AI means for their work.
For users
Use it as a simple reference when you come across unfamiliar AI, Copilot, data or governance language.
For project teams
Use it alongside readiness assessments, adoption plans, training materials and internal AI guidance to keep language consistent and easy to understand.
Axon IT takeaway: Clear language helps people feel more confident. When everyone understands the basics, it becomes easier to have practical conversations about where AI can help, what needs to be managed and how to move forward safely.
How Axon IT can help
Clear language is an important part of successful AI adoption. When people understand the terminology, it becomes easier to have useful conversations, ask better questions and make confident decisions about tools such as Microsoft Copilot.
Axon IT can help your organisation turn AI language into practical action. We can explain key concepts in plain English, support internal communications, create user-friendly guidance and help teams understand how AI applies to their everyday work.
Ways Axon IT can support you
- Explain AI, Copilot, governance and adoption terminology in plain English
- Create simple user guidance that helps teams understand what AI means for them
- Support internal communications before AI or Copilot rollout
- Help leaders and managers answer common employee questions
- Build training materials that make AI feel practical, relevant and less overwhelming
If your team is unsure about the language of AI, Axon IT can help make it clearer, simpler and easier to apply in real business conversations.