How to brainstorm with AI

A sticky note with a pen illustration of a lightbulb is pinned to a corkboard with a red pin

Our most creative ideas often start with just a spark of inspiration—but what do you do when you hit a creative block? Enter AI-powered ideation, a game-changer for anyone looking to generate fresh ideas quickly. Microsoft Copilot can act as an intelligent AI idea generator, helping you overcome creative blocks with a brainstorm buddy. Whether you’re a student, writer, or professional, Copilot makes it easy to turn vague concepts into actionable ideas. In this article, we’ll discuss how to brainstorm with AI to supercharge your creativity.

Why use AI for brainstorming?

Brainstorming on your own can be time-consuming and limited by personal biases, especially if you’ve hit a mental wall. Copilot, acting as an AI idea generator, offers several advantages:

Speed: When you need new ideas quickly, you can depend on Copilot to generate dozens of ideas in seconds, helping you maintain momentum in your brainstorming sessions.
Diversity: Copilot helps you explore perspectives you might not have considered, opening doors to fresh ideas and unique approaches.
Overcome blocks: When you’re stuck, Copilot provides new angles that help you break through creative barriers so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.

Copilot understands context and adapts suggestions to your goals, making brainstorming with AI more dynamic and personalized.

How to brainstorm with Copilot

Ready to experiment with AI-powered ideation? Here's how you can start collaborating with Copilot:

Open Copilot: Your AI assistant is available for free in your browser at copilot.microsoft.com and with the Copilot mobile app for Android and iOS. For deeper workflow integration, you can also purchase a subscription to Microsoft 365 to access Copilot in your favorite Microsoft apps, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and others.
Enter your prompt: Use clear instructions like: “Give me 10 blog ideas for my personal website” or “Suggest creative marketing strategies for a local coffee shop.”
Iterate and refine: Ask Copilot to expand ideas, adjust tone, or tailor suggestions for specific audiences based on your goals.

A top-down view of happy people using Copilot as an idea generator AI in a study room, with Windows Surface laptops, notebooks, and sticky notes scattered around the table

AI art created via Copilot

When can I use Copilot as an AI idea generator?

Copilot is a versatile tool that can help you find that spark of inspiration, no matter your project or goal. Students can use it for essay topics, project ideas, and study guides, while writers and bloggers can lean on Copilot to help them fine-tune story plots, article angles, and catchy titles. Hobbyists benefit from DIY project plans, recipes, and creative writing prompts. If you’re a job seeker, Copilot can help you craft impactful resume bullet points, cover letter drafts, and prepare for interviews. Travel planners can design itineraries, create packing lists, and compare destinations. And if you’re a life organizer, you can explore journaling prompts, habit trackers, and goal-setting ideas—all with Copilot’s help.

Power up your imagination with Copilot best practices

For the most effective brainstorming results, keep these Copilot best practices in mind:

Be specific: Copilot works best when it has clear instructions and goals to work with.
Review AI suggestions: While Copilot’s responses are a great creative starting point, it’s not infallible. Remember to review its suggestions and act with your own judgement.
Save ideas: When you’ve got the ideas you need, write down or save your conversation for future reference.

Take inspired action with Copilot

Copilots is more than a tool; it’s your creative collaborator. By combining AI-powered suggestions with your own insights, you can unlock fresh ideas, explore new angles, and transform vague concepts into actionable plans. Whether you’re crafting content, planning projects, or simply looking for inspiration, Copilot helps you think bigger and move faster. With the right prompts and a willingness to experiment, you’ll find that creativity flows more freely when you have Copilot by your side. Ready to supercharge your creativity? Try Copilots today and unleash the potential of your ideas.

DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.