What Are Copilot Agents?

• Copilot agents simplify processes and save time using natural language and AI to retrieve information and perform tasks interactively or autonomously.
• Agents can be built with no-code techniques using Copilot Studio, and prebuilt agents are available.
• Administration capabilities and analytics tools help keep control over deployments but require process establishment.

Microsoft is emphasizing an “agentic” approach to AI-based assistants where agents can extend Microsoft 365 Copilot and be made available in other so-called channels, such as Teams, SharePoint, and Web apps. These generative AI-driven assistants can perform tasks within focused domains, such as working with internal line-of-business apps and retrieving data from specific documents and databases.

Previously Called Extensions and Plugins

Microsoft began framing Microsoft 365 Copilot and the company’s other Copilots with an “agentic” approach in late 2024. Microsoft 365 Copilot is presented as the platform-level assistant, and agents extend it to deliver capabilities specific to each organization’s requirements. The extension technology is not new—Microsoft 365 Copilot always supported them, but they were previously called plugins and copilots (with a lowercase c).