As AI evolves, agents are leading the way

As AI advances, so does Microsoft 365 Copilot—with agents that help you handle tasks with more clarity and control. These specialized AI systems are designed for specific tasks or workflows, giving you precise, personalized, and powerful support right where you need it. That means faster progress, fewer distractions, and way more time for the work that actually excites you.

This month, we’re diving into how you can use agents to amplify your work and speed up processes—plus a look at the latest Copilot announcements, including new capabilities that make agents even more powerful. You’ll also find demo videos, expert guidance, and tips to get started with agents today.

What are agents?

AI agents are a big topic right now—but what do they mean for you and your day-to-day work? Let’s break it down.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is the UI for AI. You can think of it a bit like an AI-powered smartphone that brings everything together. Agents are like the apps that make it even more useful, giving you specialized AI designed for specific tasks. Whether it’s automating repetitive processes or handling complex workflows, agents help tailor Copilot to the way you work, delivering more efficient and impactful AI support.

From simple to complex—there’s an agent for that

Some agents are pre-built and ready to use, while others can be built or customized to fit your team’s specific needs. And some are built with advanced reasoning, which means they go beyond following basic set rules. They can analyze context, make inferences, and adapt to new information—more like how we think through problems. That opens up possibilities for tackling more complex, nuanced tasks with greater accuracy and relevance.

Want to build your own agent? Check out the latest innovations for creating smarter agents in Copilot Studio (no coding skills required). Read the announcement > 

Less busywork, more impact

Agents and AI tools with advanced reasoning models can do more than just react—they can reason through steps, solve problems, and guide decision-making. Here’s what that could look like in a typical day:

• Handle multi-step tasks like compiling expense reports—pulling receipts, checking policies, and flagging anything off.
• Make sense of messy info by interpreting ambiguous inputs—like matching vague customer issues to the right support path or identifying patterns in unstructured data.
• Create more personalized experiences by adjusting processes based on someone’s role, location, or needs.
• Connect the dots across multiple sources to help shape reports, proposals, or executive-ready summaries.

New in Copilot: Agents to help you plan, analyze, and move faster

You can already use Microsoft 365 Copilot to help with everyday tasks—summarizing meetings, drafting content, answering questions, and organizing your day. Soon, you'll be able to go even further with two newly announced reasoning agents: Researcher and Analyst.

Check out the full announcement in the Microsoft 365 blog >

Researcher

When you’re trying to make a plan, shape a strategy, or pull together a clear narrative, it can be hard to know where to start. Researcher helps by gathering and organizing relevant info—from your documents, emails, meetings, and the web—so you go from scattered information to structured thinking, fast. So, instead of digging through files or switching between sources, you get a clearer starting point (plus a smarter way to make sense of everything).

Analyst

You know the feeling: scrolling through rows of data, eyes swirling, unsure what to focus on. Analyst cuts through the noise, working through problems like a skilled data scientist to uncover trends, spot patterns, and generate insights quickly. It can even write and run Python code to answer complex data questions—showing you exactly how it got there. Whether you’re forecasting demand, spotting patterns across spreadsheets, or building revenue projections, Analyst helps you turn a sea of numbers into something you can act on.

Sharpen your Copilot skills 

Explore resources to get even more from Microsoft 365 Copilot 

Even the best keep learning. Superheroes train, athletes practice, and experts fine-tune their skills—because there’s always another level to reach. The same goes for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine how you use it, these straightforward resources can help you build confidence and get even more out of your AI assistant for work.

• Start with the Great Copilot Journey. It’s an easy-to-follow, 30-day program that gives you practical tips and prompts to help you go from just trying Copilot to making it an essential part of your workflow. Try it on your own or bring it to your team >
• Then, take things up a notch with the Copilot Prompt Gallery. Think of it as your cheat sheet for writing better prompts. Because the better your prompts, the better Copilot works for you. Learn more >

How AI is changing the game—literally

Ever wondered what really goes into finding the next NFL superstar? With the NFL Draft around the corner, teams aren’t just relying on highlight reels—they’re diving deep into player data to make game-changing decisions.

This year, Microsoft teamed up with the NFL to bring AI-powered insights to the Scouting Combine, helping teams turn raw numbers—think 40-yard dash times, bench press reps, medical evaluations—into fast, meaningful insights. With all 32 teams using one streamlined platform and Copilot integration, they could compare players instantly, analyze key metrics in real time, and focus on what matters most: building a winning roster. 

See what’s next at Microsoft 365 Community Conference

Las Vegas is calling—and not just for the slots. From May 6 to May 8, the Microsoft 365 Community Conference is where Copilot, agents, and the next wave of work all take center stage. It’s a mix of product deep dives, workshops, and unexpected inspiration, with plenty of chances to swap ideas with fellow tech enthusiasts, partners, and product experts. If you’re ready to see how AI is changing the game (and maybe roll the dice on something new), this is where it happens.

Lock in your spot today—register now >

AI agents are still evolving—but they’re quickly becoming a more natural part of the workday. These task-savvy helpers work behind the scenes and beside you—taking care of the busywork, surfacing what matters, and helping you stay focused. Want to see how it could change your day-to-day? Ask Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat!

Here’s a prompt to try: Help me learn about how to use AI agents in my work.

Try it now in Copilot Chat >

Copilot Pulse, signing off. The next update is on the horizon—subscribe for updates and download Copilot to start creating with AI today.