MS integrates code and always-on agents into Copilot

Microsoft (MS) has restructured its AI assistant Copilot from a simple conversational tool into an agent platform that directly carries out tasks. This overhaul is a strategy to grow Copilot into a workfocused platform by combining conversation, document work, software creation, and longterm task execution within a single service. MS provides Copilot in three areas: Home, Code, and Autopilot. In Home, users can use the Cowork feature, which handles complex tasks on their behalf, along with existing AI chat, and Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can also be used directly within Copilot. Code is a feature that enables the creation of tools such as apps and dashboards based on requirements described in natural language. Autopilot is an autonomous AI agent that performs tasks assigned by the user over an extended period, and companies can give each agent a separate identity, memory, and permissions. MS plans to first make Code and Autopilot available to some customers and then expand the scope of deployment. It is also adjusting its business model so that basic AI chat and document features are offered by subscription, while computationally intensive agent tasks are billed based on usage.