Microsoft 365 Copilot Gets New AI Agents for Research and Data Analysis

Microsoft has introduced two advanced deep reasoning agents, Researcher and Analyst, for its Microsoft 365 Copilot, designed to streamline high-level research and data analysis. These AI-powered tools enhance productivity by delivering in-depth insights, automating complex tasks, and integrating seamlessly with enterprise data.

The Researcher agent works similarly to OpenAI’s and Google’s Deep Research, gathering and organizing vast amounts of online data. It compiles this information into a clear, well-structured report with citations and references. Powered by OpenAI’s Deep Research model, it also integrates Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities for enhanced functionality.

How does the Researcher Agent work?

The Researcher agent goes beyond traditional research tools by not only gathering information from the web but also accessing work data such as meetings, emails, files, and chats. Additionally, it can integrate data from third-party platforms like Confluence, ServiceNow, and Salesforce.

“You can use Researcher to build a detailed go-to-market strategy based on the context of all your work data and broader competitive data from the web; identify whitespace opportunities for a new product based on emerging trends and internal data; or create a comprehensive quarterly report for a client review detailing work to date along with the latest market analysis,” explained Jared Spataro, Chief Marketing Officer, AI at Work.

Analyst Agent

Microsoft’s Analyst agent, powered by OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model, quickly extracts valuable insights from raw data. Designed to function like a skilled data scientist, it uses chain-of-thought reasoning to handle complex queries. It can process various data sources, including CSV files, Excel sheets, and embedded tables within documents.

The Analyst agent can automatically generate Python code to analyze data files, create visualizations, and provide business insights with no technical skills required. It is especially useful for tasks like budget forecasting, financial analysis, and operational reporting, which makes data-driven decision-making more accessible.

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s AI Agents arrive next month

Microsoft plans to begin rolling out the Researcher and Analyst agents to all customers with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license in a Frontier program next month. This program will allow users to gain early access to experimental Copilot users before they are officially released. Organizations will also be able to use Microsoft Copilot Studio to build custom agents with deep reasoning capabilities.

Overall, Microsoft’s new enterprise AI agents aim to enhance business operations by automating complex tasks and providing advanced data analysis. These agents can manage routine administrative duties and offer detailed data insights to help businesses make better decisions and improve efficiency. They help reduce costs and enhance productivity by integrating with existing systems.