Microsoft unveils Copilot Cowork AI agent
What happened
Microsoft launched Copilot Cowork, an AI agent built with Anthropic to automate tasks across M365 apps.
Why it matters
Copilot Cowork allows users to delegate tasks within Microsoft 365 applications by describing the desired outcome, and the AI then creates a plan, drawing on data from Outlook, Teams, Excel, and other apps. Users retain control, with opportunities to review, modify, or pause actions, and the system requests clarification when needed. This new feature is part of Microsoft's "Wave 3" of Copilot updates and integrates Anthropic's Claude model, offering a multi-model approach to leverage the best AI for specific tasks. Copilot Cowork can handle tasks like calendar management, meeting preparation, and product launch planning, automating workflows across multiple applications. Microsoft is introducing a new Microsoft 365 E7 bundle priced at $99 per user per month, which includes Copilot Cowork, Agent 365, the Entra identity suite, and advanced security tools. Agent 365, priced separately at $15 per user, provides a central control plane for IT teams to monitor and secure AI agents across the organization. Copilot Cowork runs within Microsoft 365's security and governance boundaries, ensuring that identity, permissions, and compliance policies are applied by default, and actions are auditable. This cloud-based approach contrasts with Anthropic's Claude Cowork, which runs locally on a user's device, positioning Copilot Cowork as an enterprise-grade solution with robust data protection.
Key numbers
- Microsoft launched Copilot Cowork, an AI agent built with Anthropic to automate tasks across M365 apps.
- Copilot Cowork allows users to delegate tasks within Microsoft 365 applications by describing the desired outcome, and the AI then creates a plan, drawing on data from Outlook, Teams, Excel, and other apps.
- This new feature is part of Microsoft's "Wave 3" of Copilot updates and integrates Anthropic's Claude model, offering a multi-model approach to leverage the best AI for specific tasks.
- Microsoft is introducing a new Microsoft 365 E7 bundle priced at $99 per user per month, which includes Copilot Cowork, Agent 365, the Entra identity suite, and advanced security tools.
What happens next
- Copilot Cowork allows users to delegate tasks within Microsoft 365 applications by describing the desired outcome, and the AI then creates a plan, drawing on data from Outlook, Teams, Excel, and other apps.
- Copilot Cowork can handle tasks like calendar management, meeting preparation, and product launch planning, automating workflows across multiple applications.
Sources
Quick answers
What happened in Microsoft unveils Copilot Cowork AI agent?
Microsoft launched Copilot Cowork, an AI agent built with Anthropic to automate tasks across M365 apps.
Why does Microsoft unveils Copilot Cowork AI agent matter?
Copilot Cowork allows users to delegate tasks within Microsoft 365 applications by describing the desired outcome, and the AI then creates a plan, drawing on data from Outlook, Teams, Excel, and other apps. Users retain control, with opportunities to review, modify, or pause actions, and the system requests clarification when needed. This new feature is part of Microsoft's "Wave 3" of Copilot updates and integrates Anthropic's Claude model, offering a multi-model approach to leverage the best AI for specific tasks. Copilot Cowork can handle tasks like calendar management, meeting preparation, and product launch planning, automating workflows across multiple applications. Microsoft is introducing a new Microsoft 365 E7 bundle priced at $99 per user per month, which includes Copilot Cowork, Agent 365, the Entra identity suite, and advanced security tools. Agent 365, priced separately at $15 per user, provides a central control plane for IT teams to monitor and secure AI agents across the organization. Copilot Cowork runs within Microsoft 365's security and governance boundaries, ensuring that identity, permissions, and compliance policies are applied by default, and actions are auditable. This cloud-based approach contrasts with Anthropic's Claude Cowork, which runs locally on a user's device, positioning Copilot Cowork as an enterprise-grade solution with robust data protection.
