From time-saver to specialist AI Agent
In our last article, we looked at how Microsoft 365 Copilot is already making life easier for SMEs by streamlining everyday tasks. But what comes next is even more exciting. Microsoft is taking Copilot beyond time-saving and into new territory, with specialist AI agents that can handle entire areas of work.
Two of these agents, called Researcher and Analyst, are already in preview and set to become key tools for businesses over the next 18 months.
A closer look at Researcher and Analyst
Researcher is designed to dig through large volumes of internal content - things like emails, files and Teams chats - and deliver clear, referenced summaries. It is already proving useful for pulling together board reports or giving a quick, accurate overview of supplier activity.
Analyst focuses on structured data. You can drop in a folder full of spreadsheets or CSV files, and it will find trends, carry out calculations and explain what the data is telling you, all in plain English.
What’s important to know is that these agents are not general-purpose chatbots. They work entirely within the Microsoft 365 environment, follow existing user permissions, and never access or share information beyond your organisation. They are designed for specific tasks, understand context, and are aimed squarely at knowledge-based work.
A smarter, more focused interface
To support these new features, Microsoft has given Copilot a refreshed interface that puts chat at the centre. There is also a new Create hub, which makes it easy to generate visuals or branded content straight into documents and presentations.
A feature called Notebooks, now in preview, allows users to define a specific project or topic, helping Copilot keep its responses focused and relevant throughout.
Looking ahead: Automation and Intelligent Agents
Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, Microsoft’s roadmap includes more advanced tools and smarter automation.
One of the major additions will be Interpreter in Microsoft Teams, which provides real-time voice translation across multiple languages. It is designed to support natural conversations in international meetings, even if participants do not share a common language. It will also match tone and pacing, making those conversations feel more natural.
Microsoft is also developing autonomous agents in Copilot Studio. These can monitor systems, recognise when something needs action, and carry out tasks without needing someone to guide them. For example, they could follow up on unpaid invoices, update CRM records, or help with customer support triage. Some partners are already trialling these capabilities, with a broader rollout expected from 2026.
Security still comes first
As Copilot becomes more powerful, Microsoft continues to keep security and privacy front and centre. Everything stays within your Microsoft 365 environment. Access is controlled through Entra ID, content is encrypted both at rest and in transit, and administrators have full oversight of data, retention, and permissions.
Even Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat which is free with most M365 subscriptions, includes Enterprise Data Protection, giving businesses the same level of control, no matter how their teams access the tools.
Helping you plan for what’s next
At Kick, we are working with clients every day to help them make sense of what is available, what is coming, and how to get ready. Whether you are exploring Researcher, testing out the new Copilot interface, or starting to plan for more autonomous workflows, now is the time to prepare.
These capabilities are not theoretical. They are real, evolving quickly, and already being used by forward-thinking businesses. If you are ready to take the next step, Kick is here to guide you through it.
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