Microsoft will enable the creation of custom artificial intelligence agents to tackle the most challenging work tasks.
Microsoft 365 will include ten pre-built artificial intelligence agents.
Microsoft has unveiled a new extension of its artificial intelligence capabilities with the launch of autonomous agents, designed to integrate more efficiently into business operations. These agents, which are available in public preview, allow organizations to employ AI-driven automation to perform various work tasks and can be customized using the company's revamped Copilot Studio platform.
According to Microsoft, the agents can act on behalf of employees to automate tasks, provide insights, and optimize operations. They are expected to have a significant impact on challenging sectors such as retail, finance, and legal services.
A key aspect of the success of Microsoft's digital agents will be the enhancement of Copilot Studio, which promises to combine personal, business, and analytical data, thereby making it easier for companies to create agents with greater control and transparency.
The optimized version of the Studio allows developers to customize their agents through different approaches. By showcasing the underlying logic, including key details, steps, and involved systems, developers can gain a deeper understanding of an agent's reasoning and context, which will help them fine-tune outcomes and resolve issues.
In response to the growing demand for transparency in AI tools, Microsoft has incorporated a new ‘Activity’ tab, enabling workers to identify progress, bottlenecks, and trends through a complete log of previous executions.
This announcement was made during the recent Microsoft AI Tour event in London, where ten pre-built agents in Dynamics 365 were also introduced, aimed at assisting sales, service, finance, and supply chain teams. These agents will utilize some of the most advanced models, including the OpenAI GPT-3 series, to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention.
Microsoft has indicated that, while artificial intelligence requires specific and advanced skills, any company can adopt an AI-first approach, leveraging these agents to cover gaps where businesses face talent shortages, allowing them to maintain a competitive edge. Additionally, the company emphasized that security remains a top priority, implementing effective data protection measures and governance tools.
