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Following the AI news from Google and OpenAI on Tuesday, Microsoft has made announcements of its own, introducing two unique “deep reasoning” agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot, known as Researcher and Analyst, as well as enhancements for custom AI agents. Researcher utilizes OpenAI’s advanced research model to execute “complex, multi-step research” and connects with external data sources like Salesforce or ServiceNow, enabling business users to glean insights from various tools.
Analyst, drawing on OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model, is designed to transform raw data into spreadsheets, execute Python code that can be monitored in real-time, and function at a level akin to a proficient data scientist, capable of assembling comprehensive reports like the example provided (pdf).
These tools are set to be available to Microsoft 365 Copilot license holders in an early access program beginning in April, alongside new autonomous agent features that are currently being introduced in Copilot Studio.
Microsoft claims the new agent flows in Copilot are powerful enough to “automate any task you can imagine” with rule-based workflows that include AI actions. The LinkedIn announcement describes situations like an agent flow that directs feedback emails to the correct team, but we’ll have to see it in action to find out how that’s better than adding a checkbox or two, or how well its “low code” experience really works, and if it can deliver on the promises AI companies are making about agents.
