Microsoft’s Office 365 Apps Get an AI Boost with Copilot Chat
Microsoft’s Office 365 apps have been the cornerstone for many working professionals’ day-to-day workflows for years. As a result, when the company developed its AI assistant, Copilot, it was only natural to infuse it across the 365 apps.
New Features in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
On Wednesday, Microsoft launched Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, which builds on the traditional free Microsoft 365 Copilot chat experience. This new feature introduces pay-as-you-go agents that can automate repetitive tasks.
Agents: AI Assistants for Repetitive Tasks
With Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, commercial customers can create, discover, and pin agents. Agents are AI assistants that can carry out repetitive tasks for you with minimal or no instruction. You can program them using natural language in Copilot Agent Builder and Copilot Studio, both accessible right in Copilot Chat.
Use Cases for Agents
Business use cases for agents could include a customer service representative using a CRM agent to provide them with account details before a meeting, or a field service agent accessing step-by-step instructions stored in SharePoint, according to Microsoft.
Additional Cost for Using Agents
Using agents does come at an additional cost, priced on a metered basis. The costs are determined by the sum of messages used by your organization, with message usage varying depending on the agent’s complexity and use of specific features, according to Microsoft. IT admins stay in control, with the ability to create organization-wide agents and manage agent deployment.
Conclusion
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is an exciting development in the world of AI assistants. With the introduction of pay-as-you-go agents, businesses can automate repetitive tasks and streamline their workflows. This feature is poised to become one of the most prominent AI trends in 2025, as companies continue to explore the possibilities of AI in the workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat?
A: Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat is a new feature that builds on the traditional free Microsoft 365 Copilot chat experience, introducing pay-as-you-go agents that can automate repetitive tasks.
Q: What are agents in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat?
A: Agents are AI assistants that can carry out repetitive tasks for you with minimal or no instruction. You can program them using natural language in Copilot Agent Builder and Copilot Studio.
Q: How much does it cost to use agents?
A: Using agents comes at an additional cost, priced on a metered basis. The costs are determined by the sum of messages used by your organization, with message usage varying depending on the agent’s complexity and use of specific features.
Q: How do I get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat?
A: To get started, customers can visit the Copilot Chat website, where they should see the new “Create agent” option on the right-hand tab.
