Microsoft Introduces AI Agents to Streamline Business Processes

  On September 17, 2024, Microsoft introduced Copilot AI agents aimed at boosting AI efficiency by tailoring to specific user requirements.

These agents use artificial intelligence to automate and execute business processes, potentially enhancing productivity across individual employees, teams, or entire departments. Microsoft claims that these agents are capable of handling various tasks from sales to quality control.

The AI agents vary in complexity from simple to advanced. Simple agents are designed to handle basic data processing, intermediate agents can execute specific tasks on command, and the most advanced agents can operate independently, oversee other agents, and identify situations where human intervention is needed.

Features and Complexity of Microsoft AI Agents. Source: microsoft.com

Users can create and manage these agents through Copilot Studio, deploying them in various applications like Microsoft Teams, websites, and mobile apps.   

Publishing Copilot Agents into Microsoft 365 Copilot  

Copilot agents created in Copilot Studio can now be published directly into Microsoft 365 Copilot, integrating seamlessly into a user's workflow. These agents are designed to pull data from SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and other business systems, while also contributing to the improvement of Copilot, Microsoft’s core AI.

Users can enhance these agents with new functionalities such as sending emails, updating records, or creating feedback forms. The agents can be accessed in Microsoft 365 Copilot Business Chat, Teams, and the Microsoft 365 app, where users can easily call on them by tagging them with “@” in chats.

Creating and Managing Copilot Agents  

Copilot agents can be built directly within BizChat and SharePoint, and Microsoft emphasizes that this feature is designed for ease of use, enabling employees of any skill level to create their own AI agents. This update is expected to be fully implemented by October.

Microsoft assures that building AI agents will be as simple as working with spreadsheets or presentations. Users can communicate with the AI in their natural language, instructing it to perform specific tasks and pointing it to relevant data sources.

Additionally, these AI agents can be managed through Copilot Studio’s admin center. Those with access will be able to monitor both the creation and use of these agents, whether for individual or collaborative projects.