Microsoft recently announced a significant update to Copilot, its AI assistant, dubbed “Wave 2.” This update introduces a suite of new features designed to boost productivity and collaboration across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. A key addition is Copilot Pages, a dynamic workspace within Copilot itself, alongside enhancements to core Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Copilot Pages open in a graphic.
Copilot Pages serves as a persistent canvas for collaborative work, allowing users to capture, organize, and share AI-generated content within Copilot. This eliminates the ephemeral nature of AI outputs, transforming them into editable and shareable documents. Microsoft envisions Pages as a central hub for Copilot interactions, fostering deeper engagement with the AI assistant. This free update requires a Microsoft Entra account and is expected to roll out in the coming weeks.
Beyond Pages, Wave 2 brings notable improvements to familiar Office applications. Word gains enhanced referencing capabilities, allowing users to seamlessly integrate data from various sources, including emails and meetings. An on-canvas start experience puts Copilot front and center, and inline AI assistance during writing will be available later in September 2024.
Excel integrates the Python programming language, empowering users to perform advanced data analysis using natural language within Copilot. The update also expands Excel’s data handling capabilities to include non-table formats. PowerPoint introduces Narrative Builder, enhancing automated presentation creation with customizable outlines and branding options using graphics from SharePoint.
Teams gains enhanced Copilot capabilities that analyze meeting transcripts and chat logs, enabling users to quickly catch up on missed information. Outlook will offer a “Prioritize my inbox” feature in late 2024, leveraging AI to intelligently reorder emails based on importance. OneDrive integrates Copilot’s reasoning abilities, effectively transforming it into an advanced AI-powered search tool for files.
Wave 2 also introduces Copilot agents and agent builder within Copilot Studio, aimed at larger organizations. These agents are designed for autonomous task completion, ranging from simple prompt-based actions to complex, fully autonomous operations. While access to these agents is currently limited, their potential impact on organizational workflows is significant.
Microsoft’s Copilot Wave 2 represents a substantial step forward in integrating AI across its productivity suite. The introduction of Copilot Pages provides a dedicated workspace for AI-driven collaboration, while the enhancements to existing apps streamline workflows and unlock new possibilities. The development of Copilot agents hints at a future of automated processes within organizations, highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to AI-powered innovation.
