Microsoft has announced a significant expansion of its Microsoft 365 Copilot, introducing a suite of AI-powered features designed to transform workplace productivity and collaboration. This update marks a major step in Microsoft's vision for AI-assisted knowledge work.
Introducing Copilot Pages
At the forefront of this update is Copilot Pages, a new dynamic and persistent canvas designed for multiplayer AI collaboration. Microsoft touts this as the first digital artifact created specifically for the AI age. Copilot Pages allows users to:
- Make ephemeral AI-generated content durable
- Edit, add to, and share content with team members
- Collaborate in real-time with both humans and AI
Copilot Pages is rolling out now and will be generally available later in September 2024.
Enhanced App Integration
Microsoft is significantly improving Copilot's integration with its core productivity apps:
Excel
- Now generally available with support for more formulas and conditional formatting
- Introduction of Copilot in Excel with Python, enabling advanced data analysis using natural language
PowerPoint
- Narrative builder helps create first drafts quickly
- Brand manager leverages company templates for on-brand presentations
Teams
- Enhanced ability to reason over both meeting transcripts and chat
- Ensures no questions or ideas are left behind in meetings
Outlook
- New "Prioritize my inbox" feature helps manage email overload
- Generates concise summaries of emails with context-aware prioritization
Word
- Improved integration of content from various sources, including emails and meetings
- New on-canvas start experience with suggested prompts
OneDrive
- Ability to reason over all files to find needed information
- Can summarize and compare up to five files without opening them
Introducing Copilot Agents
A major addition to the Copilot ecosystem is Copilot agents, AI assistants designed to automate and execute business processes. Key features include:
- Range from simple prompt-and-response to fully autonomous agents
- Integration directly into workflow
- Adherence to Microsoft's Responsible AI and Enterprise Data Protection promises
Agent Builder
To complement Copilot agents, Microsoft is launching agent builder, a simplified experience powered by Copilot Studio. This tool allows users to:
- Create custom Copilot agents within BizChat or SharePoint
- Quickly connect agents to relevant business process data
- Deploy agents for various tasks, from answering questions to taking actions
Performance Improvements and User Adoption
Microsoft reports significant improvements in Copilot's performance:
- Responses are more than two times faster on average
- User satisfaction has improved by nearly three times
The company also notes impressive adoption metrics:
- Copilot customers grew more than 60% quarter over quarter
- Daily active users doubled
Rollout and Availability
The rollout of these features is staggered:
- Some features, like Copilot in Excel and Teams enhancements, are already generally available
- Others, like Copilot agents in SharePoint, will enter preview in early October
- Most features are expected to be fully available by late 2024
This comprehensive update to Microsoft 365 Copilot represents a significant step in Microsoft's AI strategy, aiming to redefine productivity and collaboration in the workplace through AI-assisted tools and processes.
