Microsoft Ignite 2024: AI Takes Center Stage
Copilot Actions
Microsoft’s new Copilot Actions, now in private preview, uses AI to automate repetitive tasks. This includes automating meeting summaries and generating weekly reports, as well as automatic meeting preparation and handling other routine workflows.
AI Agents
The tech giant has introduced AI agents across several of its platforms, including SharePoint agents that help users gain insights from specific content, the Employee Self-Service Agent for HR and IT tasks, and the Facilitator Agent for efficient collaboration and note-taking in Teams meetings. There is also a new Project Manager agent in Planner that Microsoft claims can handle everything from plan creation to executing tasks. Users can also customize agents, giving them names and defining behaviors to suit specific business needs.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft has unveiled an interpreter agent for Teams that offers real-time AI-powered speech-to-speech translation in multiple languages. Participants can speak or listen in the language of their choosing. AI agents take notes in Teams meetings in real time and summarize Teams chats as conversations happen. A public preview will be available in early 2025 that will include up to nine languages.
Azure AI Foundry
On the opening day of the event, Microsoft unveiled new security and IT governance capabilities available in public preview in Azure AI Foundry. The upgrades feature a new Azure AI Admin role, a new identity-based option to access default storage, and a management center that provides cross-functional teams a centralized hub and governance experience.
Copilot Control System
At this year’s Ignite event, Microsoft unveiled the new Copilot Control System, designed to assist IT teams in managing AI copilots and agents within Microsoft 365. The system provides tools for controlling data access, security, and governance, as well as tracking usage and adoption.
Power Platform
New features were introduced for Power Apps that will help users build smarter and more efficient low-code apps, according to Microsoft. A key addition is Copilot in Power Apps, which assists users in defining business problems and reviewing solutions. For example, the tool can help users create apps or agent-based tasks. Additionally, AI-generated record summary cards and new form-filling features enhance app functionality.
Conclusion
Microsoft Ignite 2024 has showcased the latest updates to Azure, Copilot, Microsoft 365, Windows, and other Microsoft tools, with a focus on agentic AI. The event has introduced over 80 new products and features, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation and AI-driven technology.
FAQs
Q: What is Copilot Actions?
A: Copilot Actions is a new feature that uses AI to automate repetitive tasks, including automating meeting summaries and generating weekly reports.
Q: What are AI agents?
A: AI agents are intelligent assistants that can perform specific tasks, such as SharePoint agents that help users gain insights from specific content.
Q: What is the Copilot Control System?
A: The Copilot Control System is a new feature designed to assist IT teams in managing AI copilots and agents within Microsoft 365.
Q: What is Power Apps?
A: Power Apps is a low-code app development platform that allows users to build custom apps without extensive coding knowledge.
