Updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot’s Enterprise Search and Agents
Microsoft 365 Copilot’s Latest Features
Microsoft has recently rolled out exciting updates to its Microsoft 365 Copilot, featuring advanced AI functionalities and new tools designed to improve productivity. Among these enhancements are AI-powered search capabilities, the introduction of reasoning agents, and a new Agent Store. Some users can access these features now, while others will need to wait until May for full availability.
AI-Powered Enterprise Search
One of the standout updates is the AI-enhanced enterprise search. Jon Friedman, Microsoft’s Corporate VP of Design and Research, emphasized the importance of this feature, stating, “With Copilot Search, we’re bringing the power of search and AI together to give you more relevant, context-aware search results.” This feature aims to overcome the challenges that traditional enterprise search vendors face, especially regarding the complexity of applying data policies across various repositories.
With Copilot Search, users can find relevant documents quickly from multiple apps and data sources. The AI can even summarize file content, allowing users to get important information without opening every document.
Safety and Control with Copilot
For organizations that might be concerned about security when using advanced AI tools, Microsoft has included a Copilot Control System. This system is designed for IT administrators and security personnel to manage how Copilot interacts with company data.
The Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) system includes an Apps and Agents section specifically aimed at overseeing AI activities, along with services like Copilot Analytics and Copilot Studio Agents Report available in Microsoft Viva Insights. This oversight ensures that companies can utilize AI effectively while maintaining the confidentiality and security of their information.
Introducing Reasoning Agents
In this update, Microsoft 365 Copilot welcomes two new reasoning agents: Researcher and Analyst. These agents are built on OpenAI’s reasoning models, facilitating complex tasks by breaking them down into manageable steps. However, Microsoft has not confirmed the exact models in use.
Researcher Agent
The Researcher agent is designed to help users with multi-step research tasks. For instance, in a demonstration, a user is tasked with creating a marketing plan under unusual circumstances. The agent’s capability to generate a useful marketing strategy highlights the potential value of AI support in making complex tasks more manageable.
Analyst Agent
Similarly, the Analyst agent focuses on data analysis and is integrated with advanced capabilities, including the use of Python. Even users without programming expertise can derive valuable insights from their data. According to an unnamed Microsoft staff member, “Analyst is built on OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model, optimized to do advanced data analysis,” ensuring that even those unfamiliar with coding can benefit from in-depth insights.
The New Agent Store
Accompanying these agents is the introduction of the Agent Store, which not only provides Microsoft’s reasoning agents but also features tools from other partners, including popular project management applications like Jira and Monday.com. Companies have the option to develop custom agents tailored to their specific needs, allowing for automation of tasks and personalized data access.
Enhanced Creation Experience
The Copilot feature has also been enhanced with AI-powered image generation. Utilizing OpenAI’s GPT-4o, users can now request varied designs for marketing materials or graphics, providing a versatile tool for both creative professionals and businesses looking to improve their visual content without specialized design skills.
Copilot Notebooks
Another significant addition is the Copilot Notebooks, where users can organize various files for a specific project in one location. This feature allows for more straightforward interactions with Copilot regarding project discussions. “Copilot Notebooks organize all of my files on a particular project into one place, and lets me have grounded conversations about that project with Copilot,” said Friedman.
As these features begin rolling out, Microsoft aims to enhance productivity and user experience with artificial intelligence, despite challenges predicted in the generative AI landscape.
Industry Predictions
Meanwhile, IT consultancy Gartner has noted that there will be increased investment in Generative AI while also anticipating a mismatch in expectations. They predict spending in generative AI will exceed $644 billion by 2025, even as users express dissatisfaction with the performance of current AI capabilities.
