Navigating the Enterprise Concerns of GitHub Copilot Free: Solutions for Safe and Compliant Use

After celebrating 150 million developers worldwide, GitHub has made a game-changing move: the launch of GitHub Copilot Free. This bold step democratizes access to one of the most powerful AI coding assistants, offering Copilot’s capabilities to developers at no cost. But, as with any major shift, it’s important to understand what’s new and what to watch for when using the free version.

Here’s the full picture — and how Xebia’s expertise can help you make the most of it.

What’s GitHub Copilot Free?

The key change is right in the name: it’s free. Until now, GitHub Copilot required a paid subscription for most users. With this update, GitHub is making Copilot’s basic features available to all, opening the door to millions of new users.

Why Use GitHub Copilot Free?

AI Code Completions: Automatic code suggestions as you type, streamlining development.
Copilot Chat: An AI-powered chat assistant for answering coding questions and editing code across files.
VS Code Integration: Copilot Free works directly within Visual Studio Code, one of the most widely used code editors in the world.
AI Model Options: You can choose between OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet — select the model that suits your needs.
Free Usage: With Free, you will get 2,000 completions and 50 chat messages per month. Providing a taste of the full experience, at no cost.

As part of the GitHub Copilot free launch, Xebia published a series of short tutorials that you can find here.

What Should You Be Aware Of?

While GitHub Copilot Free is exciting, there are a few important considerations that companies and teams should keep in mind. Below you’ll find the four most important things to keep in mind:

Intellectual Property and Copyright Risks
A key concern with using GitHub Copilot Free is the potential for copyright infringement. AI-generated code might unintentionally include snippets from public repositories with restrictive licenses (like GPL), which could lead to compliance and legal issues. Additionally, questions around IP ownership may arise, with companies wondering whether generated code is original or based on copyrighted materials.

The Solution? Xebia recommends developers using AI tools carefully review generated code for compliance with licensing and IP requirements. Xebia can assist by helping you establish AI policies, implement tools to minimize risks, and navigate IP concerns to ensure your team’s code remains legally secure.
Data Privacy and Security
Another key worry is data privacy. With Copilot Free, companies often question whether their prompts or proprietary code could be used to train AI models, potentially exposing sensitive information. While GitHub has strong security measures, we recommend companies with strict data policies ensure compliance.

The Solution? If you want complete assurance that your data won’t be used for AI training, the safest option is to use the Business or Enterprise editions of GitHub Copilot.

If you choose to use the free version, be aware that your data may be used for training purposes. Additionally, you will not be safeguarded by IP indemnity, and options to exclude potentially problematic content generation are only available in the Business edition and higher. We strongly recommend informing your developers about these limitations to ensure they avoid inputting sensitive data that you do not want to be shared for training purposes. Also, be mindful that generated content in the free version is not protected against copyright infringement lawsuits. Xebia can help you create secure development environments that minimize data exposure. We also offer training programs to educate developers on best practices for safe and responsible AI usage.
Code Quality and Maintainability
Critics often point out that AI-generated code might be poorly structured or difficult to maintain. This concern grows when teams lack the expertise to evaluate or refine the output from tools like Copilot Free.

The Solution? AI tools are best seen as accelerators rather than replacements for human expertise. Xebia offers enablement programs that train teams to use Copilot effectively while emphasizing the importance of reviewing and refining generated code. Through productivity measurements and managed services, we help companies maintain high standards for their codebases. As part of the GitHub Copilot free launch, Xebia published a series of short tutorials that you can find here.
Integration and Onboarding
Rolling out GitHub Copilot to your team requires seamless integration with existing workflows, along with proper onboarding and training. Without a clear plan, developers may struggle to fully leverage its capabilities, leading to underutilization or workflow disruptions.

The Solution? Xebia’s GitHub Copilot for Business Adoption Framework provides tailored onboarding support, hands-on training, and guidance on best practices, so your developers can hit the ground running. By aligning Copilot with your workflows, we ensure faster adoption, minimal disruption, and maximum impact on developer productivity.

How Xebia Can Support You

If you’re excited about GitHub Copilot Free but unsure about how to address these concerns, Xebia is here to help. With GitHub Copilot Free, it’s easy to get started. But ensuring your team’s usage aligns with industry best practices and legal frameworks requires careful consideration. Xebia’s experts are ready to offer guidance and support, allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of AI-assisted coding without worry.

Conclusion

The launch of GitHub Copilot Free marks a monumental shift in the world of software development. By making this powerful AI tool available at no cost, GitHub is enabling millions of developers to write smarter, faster, and better code. But as with every new tool, it’s important to understand how it works and the implications of usage.

With 150 million developers worldwide now able to use GitHub Copilot, the impact on the development landscape will be profound. As your teams explore its possibilities, Xebia can support you every step of the way — from GitHub Copilot training to ensuring the use of AI aligns with your company’s policies.

Events
GitHub Copilot Hackathon | Feb 5th | in-person event | Hilversum, NL