Improving Data Analysis with Microsoft Analyst Agent

• Microsoft Analyst can accelerate complex data analysis to deliver insights using a small reasoning model and reinforcement learning.
• It is meant to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and productivity of data analysis and reduce costs.
• Like other generative AI services, it might produce inaccurate information and requires verification.
• Organizations should invest in training users to use Analyst effectively.

Microsoft Analyst is an advanced reasoning agent based on OpenAI’s o3-mini model that can speed up data analysis, potentially saving days of effort by leveraging natural language to convert raw data into actionable insights. However, it is not a replacement for data scientist expertise. As is the case with M365 Copilot, analysts must have access to the content for analysis or risk skewing the result. For best results, users can upload data sets into Analyst. Analyst is included with M365 Copilot, adding value to the license.

Microsoft Researcher, the other agent introduced as part of the M365 Copilot Spring 2025 Wave 2 announcement, is discussed in the Directions report “Microsoft Researcher Agent Can Speed Decision-Making, But Check Your Work.”