Microsoft 365 Copilot enhanced with AI & new features

Microsoft has announced significant updates to its Microsoft 365 Copilot, introducing new features that aim to transform work and business processes for companies worldwide.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is in use at nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies, evidencing its widespread adoption in the corporate sector. The enhancements are designed to save businesses time and money while enhancing productivity across various workflows.

Key features introduced include Copilot Actions, which automate repetitive tasks such as scheduling and preparing for meetings. These tasks are streamlined by fill-in-the-blank prompts, which allow users to automate the creation of daily summaries and customer meeting preparations. This feature is currently in private preview.

Intelligent agents are also being integrated into platforms such as SharePoint and Teams. SharePoint Agents provide quick access to project details and document location. Meanwhile, the Interpreter Agent in Teams will enable real-time language translation during meetings. This addition to Teams is set to enter public preview in early 2025, offering multilingual interpretation that maintains the speaker's voice.

Further updates include the Copilot Control System, which provides IT teams with advanced tools to manage and secure AI adoption. These tools aim to facilitate the responsible scaling of AI solutions within organisations. The Copilot Business Impact Report further aids this by providing valuable insights into how Copilot affects sales, finance, and other business functions. It is currently in public preview.

Microsoft has also focussed on improving security with new features such as the Windows Resiliency Initiative. This initiative offers Quick Machine Recovery, allowing administrators to resolve system issues even if devices fail to boot. This solution will be available through the Windows Insider Program in early 2025.

According to the Sydney announcement, Microsoft is "expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot with new features, agents, and tools to transform work and business processes." This expansion is aimed at providing each employee with a personal AI assistant to enhance productivity and redefine business processes.

Microsoft continues to collaborate with partners like ServiceNow, Workday, and Cohere, integrating significant knowledge into Copilot. These partnerships ensure that clients remain competitive within an evolving digital environment.

With Microsoft Places, another recent development, employees can optimise collaborative efforts in the office. This tool uses AI-powered insights to improve location-specific productivity and team synergy.

Copilot in Outlook is designed to assist users in scheduling focus times or meetings by analysing multiple calendars to find suitable timings. This feature also supports drafting meeting agendas and will be generally available by the end of November.

Additionally, new features have been unveiled for platforms like PowerPoint and Teams, including multilingual translation capabilities and enhanced content analysis without needing to open files. These features will be in public previews or become generally available throughout 2025.