In a recent interview, Microsoft unveiled its latest innovation: autonomous artificial intelligence agents designed to perform various tasks such as managing client queries and identifying potential sales leads. This exciting development comes as the tech industry seeks to demonstrate the value of AI to investors, showcasing that the technology can yield indispensable products.
The company is empowering customers with the ability to create their own AI agents while also launching ten pre-built bots capable of taking on roles in areas like supply chain management and customer service. Early adopters of Microsoft’s new Copilot Studio, set to launch next month, include renowned firms such as McKinsey, which is developing an AI agent to streamline new client inquiries and schedule follow-up meetings. Other notable users are the law firm Clifford Chance and retailer Pets at Home.
During a recent company event in London, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the potential of these AI agents to significantly boost productivity by reducing repetitive tasks. “These tools are fundamentally changing outsourcing, increasing value and reducing waste,” he stated, highlighting the agents’ role in enhancing economic efficiency.
Nadella described Copilot Studio as a “no-code way for you to build agents,” indicating that users won’t need extensive coding skills to use the platform. The agents will be powered by AI models developed both in-house and by OpenAI, creators of ChatGPT.
Looking ahead, Microsoft is also working on an AI agent capable of executing transactions. Mustafa Suleyman, head of AI at Microsoft, shared that while the development process has seen its challenges—described as “car crash moments”—he is optimistic that the technology will be ready within quarters rather than years.
When asked about concerns regarding AI’s impact on employment, Charles Lamanna, Microsoft’s corporate vice president, reassured that these agents aim to eliminate the “mundane, monotonous” elements of jobs. “I think it’s much more of an enabler and an empowerment tool than anything else,” he remarked, drawing a parallel to the introduction of personal computers.
Lamanna explained, “The personal computer didn’t show up on every desk to begin with but eventually it was on every desk because it brought so much capability and information to the fingertips of every employee.” He believes AI will follow a similar trajectory, gradually integrating into various departments and processes across organizations.
Andrew Rogoyski, a director at the Institute for People-Centred AI at the University of Surrey, added another layer of insight, suggesting that AI agents could help tech firms deliver returns for investors who have heavily backed the technology. “AI companies have consumed a lot of investment money and need to generate some returns,” he stated, acknowledging that while assistive agents showcase everyday benefits, the potential revenue they might generate remains uncertain. He cautioned, however, that despite the ongoing discussions about agents, “we’ve yet to deliver an agent that is as capable as a human worker.”
