Microsoft Copilot now available for UK students, faculty and staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Microsoft Copilot licenses are now available to all students, faculty and staff, University of Kentucky Information Technology Services announced. The initiative is part of UK’s ongoing commitment to innovation through its Commonwealth AI Transdisciplinary Strategy (CATS AI) in partnership with Microsoft. This expands access to powerful AI tools that support learning, productivity, research and service.
Copilot is an AI-powered tool designed to support work and learning, whether it means drafting documents, summarizing information, brainstorming ideas or improving productivity in Microsoft 365.
Getting access is simple:
- Log in to the myUK portal
- Go to My Account > My Access
- Select Request Access and choose Copilot
- Your license will be assigned to your linkblue account. It may take 24-72 hours for the update to appear in your Microsoft tenant.
A step-by-step guide is available in the Tech Help Center to help you get started.
If you have questions or need support, the Tech Help Center team is ready to assist.
UK and CATS AI are also partnering with Microsoft to host an all-campus event Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Gatton Student Center. The event will feature a dynamic AI exhibition around the Social Staircase, highlighting ongoing artificial intelligence projects and initiatives at UK. AI engagement zones will range from creativity and productivity to ethics and responsible use, among many other exciting exhibits. UK Information Technology Services will also host an on-site support table during the event to answer questions about the Copilot rollout and help users get started.
Learn more about this initiative and how UK is advancing Kentucky at https://akt.uky.edu/commonwealth-ai-transdisciplinary-strategy.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.