Copilot: New Features and Capabilities Unveiled at MS-Ignite 2024

The annual Microsoft Ignite conference is always a highlight for tech enthusiasts, and this year was no exception. With a slew of new features and capabilities announced for Microsoft 365 Copilot, the excitement is palpable. Let’s dive into the latest updates that promise to revolutionize the way we work and collaborate.

1. Copilot Actions: Automate Your Workflow

One of the standout features introduced is Copilot Actions. This new capability allows users to automate everyday tasks with simple, fill-in-the-blank prompts. Whether it’s getting a daily summary of meeting actions in Microsoft Teams, compiling weekly reports, or receiving an email summarizing missed meetings and emails upon returning from vacation, Copilot Actions are designed to save time and boost productivity.
Imagine you’re a project manager who needs to compile a weekly status report. With Copilot Actions, you can set up an automation that gathers updates from your team members’ emails and Teams messages, formats them into a report, and sends it to your stakeholders every Friday.

2. Enhanced Admin Experience

For IT administrators, Microsoft has rolled out several enhancements to streamline the management of Microsoft 365. The Copilot in Microsoft 365 admin centres is set for general availability in January 2025. This feature leverages AI to optimize routine tasks, generate insights for better decision-making, and help IT professionals maximize the value of their Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
An IT admin can use the new Copilot features in the Microsoft 365 admin centre to generate a report on software usage across the organization. This report can highlight underutilized licenses, helping the admin optimize costs and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.

3. New AI Administrator Role

Recognizing the need for specialized roles in AI administration, Microsoft introduced the AI Administrator role. This role is scoped specifically for the administration of Microsoft 365 Copilot and enterprise AI services, ensuring that the right people have the appropriate levels of access without the broad permissions of a Global admin.
The AI Administrator can configure and manage Copilot settings across the organization, ensuring that AI tools are used effectively and securely. For instance, they can set up permissions for who can access certain AI capabilities and monitor usage to ensure compliance with company policies.

4. Agents in SharePoint and Teams

Microsoft is also expanding the capabilities of Copilot with new agents in SharePoint and Teams. These agents use natural language AI to assist users in finding answers quickly and making informed decisions. The Interpreter agent in Teams, for instance, enables real-time, speech-to-speech interpretation in meetings, breaking down language barriers and fostering better communication.
During a Teams meeting, the Interpreter agent can provide real-time translation for participants speaking different languages. This feature is especially useful for multinational teams, ensuring that everyone can participate fully regardless of their native language.

5. Copilot+ Devices

In a move to enhance security and flexibility, Microsoft introduced Windows 365 Link, a purpose-built device for Windows 365. This device connects securely to the cloud, ensuring that corporate data remains protected. It’s designed to provide a high-fidelity, responsive experience, making it easier for users to work securely from anywhere.
A remote worker using the Windows 365 Link device can securely access their virtual desktop from anywhere, ensuring that sensitive corporate data remains protected while they work from home or on the go.

6. Azure AI Foundry

To support the development of more ambitious AI applications, Microsoft unveiled the Azure AI Foundry. This comprehensive toolchain provides a unified experience for designing, customizing, and managing AI apps and agents. It includes prebuilt app templates and a simplified coding experience accessible from familiar tools like GitHub and Visual Studio.
A developer can use Azure AI Foundry to quickly build a custom AI application that analyses customer feedback and generates actionable insights. The prebuilt templates and simplified coding experience make it easier to get started and iterate on the application.

7. Success Metrics and Insights

To help organizations track the success of their Copilot deployments, Microsoft introduced new metrics such as the AI assistance score and Copilot assisted hours. These metrics provide insights into how users are engaging with Copilot and the impact it has on productivity.
An organization can use the AI assistance score to measure how effectively employees are using Copilot features. This metric can help identify areas where additional training might be needed to maximize the benefits of AI tools.

Industries That Will Benefit the Most

Microsoft 365 Copilot’s new features are set to benefit a wide range of industries:

• Healthcare: Automating administrative tasks and improving patient data management.
• Finance: Enhancing data analysis and compliance reporting.
• Education: Streamlining administrative processes and supporting personalized learning.
• Manufacturing: Optimizing supply chain management and production processes.
• Retail: Improving customer service and inventory management.

Expected Increase in ROI

The potential return on investment (ROI) from using Microsoft 365 Copilot is substantial. According to a recent study by Forrester Consulting, businesses can experience a return on investment ranging from 132% to 353% over a three-year period. This includes benefits such as:

• 6% increase in net revenue
• 20% reduction in operating costs
• 25% acceleration in new-hire onboarding

Conclusion

The new features and capabilities announced at MS-Ignite 2024 underscore Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing productivity, security, and collaboration through AI. With these innovations, Microsoft 365 Copilot is set to become an even more indispensable tool for organizations worldwide. Whether you’re an IT admin looking to streamline operations or a user aiming to boost productivity, there’s something in this update for everyone. Stay tuned as these features roll out and transform the way we work!
What do you think of these new features? Which one are you most excited to try out? Let us know in the comments below!

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