Microsoft announced significant updates to its 365 Copilot platform during Microsoft Ignite 2024, promising a wave of new AI-powered features for businesses starting early next year. These enhancements aim to further integrate generative AI into the Microsoft 365 suite and Teams, boosting productivity and streamlining workflows.
alt text: Microsoft 365 Copilot logo with a futuristic background, symbolizing AI integration.
Microsoft 365 Copilot, previously known as Copilot, offers businesses advanced AI capabilities within familiar applications for a $30 per employee monthly subscription. The company emphasizes its commitment to transforming work processes and empowering employees with Copilot as a personalized assistant. This involves automating repetitive tasks, enhancing meeting management, and facilitating collaboration.
New Copilot Features: Automation and Collaboration
A key development is the introduction of “Copilot Actions,” currently in private preview. This feature allows users to automate tasks through simple prompts, such as setting next-day action items, summarizing meetings, and requesting input from colleagues. Copilot Pages are also being revamped to enable AI-powered content generation from Microsoft Graph data, fostering seamless sharing and updates within teams. This feature is expected in early 2025.
AI Agents Transforming Microsoft 365 Applications
Microsoft is expanding its use of AI agents across the 365 platform. Teams, Outlook, and PowerPoint are all receiving significant upgrades. Early in 2025, Teams will gain the ability to understand, summarize, and answer questions based on shared visual content. Outlook will intelligently schedule meetings by analyzing user calendars, launching at the end of November 2024. PowerPoint will offer AI-powered translation of entire slide decks into 40 languages, preserving the original design, slated for a 2025 release.
Expanding AI Agent Capabilities
Beyond individual applications, Microsoft is investing in broader AI agent development. These agents aim to transform business processes across sales, service, finance, and supply chain operations. An Interpreter agent for Teams, scheduled for a public preview in early 2025, will offer real-time language translation without altering the speaker’s voice. Other agents will automate meeting notes and project management within Microsoft Planner. An Employee Self-Service Agent, currently in private preview, will assist new hires with onboarding, HR, and IT tasks.
alt text: A screenshot of a video conference in Microsoft Teams, highlighting the AI-powered interpreter agent translating speech in real-time.
Windows 365 Link: A New Cloud PC Experience
In addition to software enhancements, Microsoft announced new hardware. Windows 365 Link, a dedicated Cloud PC device, will allow users to access virtual Windows desktops directly from the Microsoft Cloud. Currently in public preview, the Link is expected to retail for $349 in select markets starting April 2025.
Conclusion: The Future of Work with AI
Microsoft’s continued investment in AI across its 365 platform signifies a commitment to transforming how businesses operate. These enhancements promise increased productivity, streamlined workflows, and enhanced collaboration, ultimately shaping the future of work.
