Microsoft Expands Copilot With Coding Tools and AI Agents
Microsoft has unveiled a series of new features for its Copilot AI assistant, including coding capabilities and an always-on AI agent designed to handle tasks with minimal human intervention.
The update is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to turn Copilot into a more comprehensive productivity platform for both consumers and businesses, amid growing competition from AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Claude.
Microsoft will integrate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint directly into Copilot, allowing users to work with the Office apps without leaving the AI platform.
The redesigned Copilot app will also introduce a Home tab for regular AI conversations and other tasks. Microsoft says it will eventually be able to determine which Copilot mode is best suited to a user’s request, keeping simple queries in Chat while directing more complex tasks to Copilot’s task-oriented capabilities.
A new Code tab will allow users to create small software tools using natural-language instructions, without requiring programming expertise. Microsoft says Copilot can build applications, data-tracking tools, dashboards, automated processes, and workflows based on users’ descriptions.
The company is also introducing an Autopilot tab that brings AI-agent capabilities to Copilot. Users can assign recurring tasks to the assistant, including responding to conversation threads and managing multi-step workflows.
Microsoft says Copilot could handle processes such as supplier reviews by creating schedules, preparing meetings, managing follow-ups, and communicating with stakeholders to collect updates.