Explore the potential of AI from the combination of Microsoft Copilot and group runs.

AI has been a major topic in the tech industry for the past few years. Many people have used image generation, article summarization, and other AI-related services.

In such a situation, "Microsoft (Microsoft)" is providing the company's generated AI service, "Microsoft CopilotCopilot means co-pilot. Copilot" means co-pilot, and it is supposed to support the user who is the captain of the aircraft.

So, what can "Microsoft Copilot" actually do and what is so great about it? To get a glimpse of what it can do, we tried using it to create a course plan for a group run at TOTOKEN in Nihonbashi Hamacho as an experimental use of Copilot. Here is a report on how it went.

The event began with a lecture on the basics of "Microsoft Copilot".

According to its description, "Copilot" offers an app for PCs and smartphones, and can also be used in browsers ...... such as Microsoft's Edge, as well as Chrome and Safari.

Microsoft Copilot" is free for anyone to use, but the paid version (Copilot Pro) can work with Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) applications. The free version is the one we will be using at this event.

It should be noted that "Copilot" uses the GPT-4, a generative AI language model from "OpenAI". The latest paid version, Copilot Pro, also uses a newer model, GPT-4 Turbo. The difference between GPT-4 and GPT-3 is the range of training targets.

While GPT-3 covers up to the year 2018, the evolved GPT-4 learns to cover information from approximately one year earlier, i.e., 2023. In addition, Copilot works with Microsoft's Bing search engine to return answers based on information updated in real time. How convenient!

So, let's start with TOTOKEN and see what kind of running course they can put together. Let's see what they can do.

I consulted "Microsoft Copilot" with the following statement of question.

Tell me about a scenic running course starting from Nihonbashi Hamacho. I would like a total of about 8km. Please advise on pacing.

Copilot replies.

You are looking for a scenic running course starting from Nihonbashi Hamacho. Excellent choice! We recommend the following two courses
1. Sumida River Terrace Course (approx. 8.5 km)
This course runs approximately 8.5 km via Sensoji Temple.
A promenade along the Sumida River offers views of Sky Tree and the Sumida River.
As the road is easy to follow, please enjoy the ride while paying attention to your pacing.

Please note the following points regarding pacing.
Warm-up: Start slow and warm up your muscles.
Steady Pace: Run at a steady pace at the midpoint of the course.
Cool Down: Run slowly for the last few minutes to loosen up your muscles.
We hope you enjoy the scenery and take it easy on either course. Please be safe and enjoy an enjoyable run! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

The Sumida River Terrace was included in the proposed course. It was completed in 2021, so if you asked the generating AI that used the previous version of GPT-3, that means it was not included in the course plan.

So, let's get started with the group run!

First, go down the stairs not far from TOTOKEN and drive along the Sumida River terrace in the direction of Asakusa.

With the illuminated bridge at our side, we will run on a flat course that is easy to run on. We will run slowly, enjoying conversation with the runners next to us along the way.

The destination is Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. We ran along the Nakamise shopping street and continued along the approach to the temple. It was quite a thrilling experience to run along the Nakamise shopping street while being cheered on by excited tourists.

One step before the main hall of Sensoji Temple, I turned off onto a side street and snapped a commemorative photo.

This is the turnaround point, so we will run on the other side of Sumida River Terrace toward Hamacho.

In the main, we ran along the Sumida River terrace, but changed the course slightly from time to time, taking about one hour to complete less than 10 km and return to Touken.

It was just right to ask "Copilot" to create the main outline of the course, and to change the detailed course from time to time depending on the runner's mood.

After the run, we asked one of the participants in the group run about the use of the Copilot. "Being able to set the distance you want to run is great for training. Isn't it a great way to set up a running course when you want to run in an unfamiliar place, such as on a trip, while taking in some great scenery?" or "Wouldn't this be a good way to have a running training program put together?" Some people said, "It would be a great way to set up a running course in an unfamiliar place with a nice view.

In addition, you can even entrust the role of a diet or running coach to an AI, such as "I want to lose how many % of body fat in this amount of time," or "What kind of training do I want to do to achieve a sub-4 in 6 months' time?

Then all that's left is to run. Then how do we get that motivation? I wish I could leave that to "Copilot" too.

Photo_Kanta Nakamura
Text_Shinri Kobayashi