Microsoft has announced a bold new step in its AI strategy by allowing customers to build autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents starting in November.
These AI agents, which can operate with minimal human intervention, are expected to transform routine business operations, automating tasks like client enquiries, sales lead generation, and inventory management.
Unlike traditional chatbots that rely heavily on human oversight, these autonomous agents are designed to function independently, offering businesses a powerful tool to streamline operations.
Microsoft describes these AI agents as “apps for an AI-driven world,” aiming to help companies run more efficiently and free up employees for higher-level tasks.
In a bid to make these tools accessible, Microsoft will launch Copilot Studio, a platform that allows customers to create and customise their own autonomous AI agents.
In addition to custom agents, the software giant will also provide ten pre-built agents to handle tasks such as supply chain management, expense tracking, and client communications.
These agents will be powered by a combination of Microsoft’s in-house AI models and technology developed by OpenAI. Early demonstrations of the technology have already shown significant potential.
Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. created an AI agent capable of managing client enquiries, selecting the appropriate consultants for projects, and scheduling follow-up meetings with minimal human involvement.
Microsoft’s corporate vice president of business and industry Copilot, Charles Lamanna, emphasised that the company’s vision is for every employee to have their own Copilot—a personalised AI assistant.
“The idea is that Copilot is the user interface for AI. Every employee will have a Copilot, their personalised AI agent, to interact with the sea of AI agents that will be out there,” Lamanna explained.
This move aligns with broader industry trends, as other major tech companies, such as Salesforce, are also exploring the potential of autonomous AI agents to deliver returns on their AI investments.
Microsoft’s announcement comes on the heels of Meta’s introduction of its Self-Taught Evaluator, an AI model that significantly reduces human input in AI training. Unlike traditional models that rely on human-labelled data, Meta’s new tool is trained entirely on AI-generated data, marking a shift toward more autonomous AI systems.
As Microsoft enters this new phase, the race for leadership in autonomous AI is heating up, with major players competing to redefine how businesses leverage AI for greater efficiency and productivity.
