Microsoft has announced a major update to its ecosystem — Microsoft 365 Copilot. Artificial intelligence is now moving beyond the role of a simple assistant to full-fledged agent capabilities. The key feature of this new wave of AI is that the system will not only provide recommendations but will also be able to independently perform complex multi-step tasks on behalf of the user.

The main announcement was the launch of Agent 365, a unified platform for managing AI agents. Starting May 1, IT leaders will receive a tool for monitoring, security, and administration of all digital assistants within an organization. The cost of access will be $15 per user per month. The platform will allow companies to manage AI agents as reliably as they currently manage employee accounts.

As part of a partnership with Anthropic, Microsoft 365 will introduce Copilot Cowork technology. This will enable neural networks (including Claude models) to operate autonomously within Word, Excel, and Outlook, handling long-running work processes. Users will now be able to choose between different AI models — from OpenAI to the latest developments from Anthropic — directly within the work chat.

For large corporations, Microsoft has introduced the Microsoft 365 E7 Frontier Suite priced at $99 per user. This comprehensive solution combines advanced security tools, data management, and Copilot capabilities into a unified protected system. The new features will become available to a wide range of business customers in May 2026, opening an era in which AI becomes a full-fledged “digital colleague” in every office.

ORIENT