Microsoft upgrades Copilot with code and AI agents

Microsoft has announced a major update to Copilot, the company's AI assistant for office work. The update is meant to turn the tool into a single place where employees can carry out far more tasks than just chatting with a bot.

The most significant new feature is a tool called "Code." It lets ordinary users build simple apps, dashboards and other software just by writing what they want in plain language. The tool uses the same technology as GitHub Copilot, which Microsoft already offers to programmers. This means that, in theory, you don't need to know how to code to get a small program or overview made for your work.

In addition, Microsoft is launching an AI agent named "Autopilot." It is a further development of an earlier agent called "Scout," which was shown off in June. In short, an AI agent is a digital assistant that can carry out tasks independently, without you having to ask it for every single step. Autopilot runs on Microsoft's servers and is intended as a kind of digital colleague that can help with tasks around the clock, including coding. The agent gets its own identity in the company's internal system, and companies can decide for themselves which permissions it should have access to.

Microsoft is also integrating Word, Excel and PowerPoint directly into Copilot, so you can work in these programs without leaving the AI assistant.

Finally, companies get a better way to track what their use of AI actually costs, through new cost management tools.

The new features are rolling out gradually. "Code" will first be available to select early-access customers at the end of the month, while subscribers to Microsoft 365 Premium and Pro can expect a preview later in the year. Autopilot will enter a private testing phase around the same time.

The update should be seen as an attempt to get more people to actually use Copilot in their daily work, as Microsoft competes with ChatGPT and Claude, among others, to become the preferred AI tool in the workplace.

What this means for you

If you have an idea for a small program or overview but can't code yourself, you will soon be able to simply describe it in Copilot and have it built. If you already use Word, Excel or PowerPoint, you will be able to do more directly inside Copilot going forward. If you are an early-access customer or subscribe to Microsoft 365 Premium or Pro, keep an eye out for the new features as they roll out. Otherwise, you can safely wait and see what Autopilot and Code can do once they become widely available.