Microsoft (MSFT) continues to capitalize on its massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI) with a growing range of software solutions for businesses and consumers. At its AI Tour event in London, CEO Satya Nadella and CMO of Copilot at Work Jared Spataro introduced Microsoft’s latest development: autonomous agents. These AI-powered applications, designed for specific tasks, will be available for public preview next month.
Autonomous agents are custom-built AI apps that help enterprise workers handle time-consuming tasks, such as data entry and processing client proposals. Companies like McKinsey & Company and Pets at Home have already used these agents to streamline operations. Built through Microsoft’s Copilot Studio using low-code or no-code instructions, these agents can be programmed in natural language, making them accessible to users with no coding experience.
In addition to handling tasks independently, Microsoft allows employees to oversee the agents’ work, ensuring accuracy and addressing any potential AI-induced errors.
This move is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to monetize its AI investments. The company spent $19 billion on capital expenditures last quarter, most of which went toward AI and cloud infrastructure. Microsoft is banking on its AI-powered Copilot platform to boost business efficiency, with 2.1 million users currently using Copilot in its business applications.
As competition heats up with Google and Salesforce also expanding their AI offerings, Microsoft’s ability to attract more customers for its AI services will be under scrutiny in the coming earnings season.