Every Copilot Update Unveiled at Build 2024: What You Need to Know

Microsoft is making significant announcements regarding Copilot at its annual Build developer conference, with AI continuing to play a central role, as it did last year.

One of the most noteworthy updates is that GPT-4o is now live within Azure AI and will soon be integrated into Copilot. This was highlighted during the Copilot+ press event yesterday, although specifics were limited, save for a Minecraft tutorial demonstration.

Beyond this, Microsoft is empowering developers and users to create custom Copilot solutions tailored to their unique organizational needs. This approach mirrors Google’s recent I/O announcement concerning AI Teammates but offers developers much more sophisticated tools.

Creating custom Copilots is straightforward in SharePoint, requiring just a few clicks. This feature is designed to enhance productivity, allowing AI to conduct research and provide the necessary information efficiently. The Copilots will respond to inquiries based on data sourced from the SharePoint site.

The next level involves using Copilot Studio to develop more advanced Copilots that can perform tasks on your behalf. These AI agents can execute responsibilities across an organization, leveraging the full Microsoft 365 app suite.

For those eager to explore these features, access is available through the Early Access Program. Microsoft indicates that the preview will be operational later this year, though a specific launch date has yet to be announced.

Additionally, Microsoft plans to enhance Copilot with extensions that will introduce new functionalities and provide valuable insights for ongoing projects. Developers can create these extensions using Copilot Studio or the Teams Toolkit for Visual Studio Code.

You can also preview Copilot extensions from applications like Priority Matrix, Jira, and Mural for Microsoft 365, as well as industry-specific Copilot extensions. IT administrators will manage and control access to these extensions via the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Furthermore, developers can seamlessly integrate plug-ins into their Copilot extensions through API endpoints using the Teams Toolkit for Visual Studio Code. They can also utilize Microsoft’s innovative user experience features, including handoffs (currently in preview) to alternate AI assistants.

Lastly, Microsoft introduces a new AI assistant called Team Copilot, designed to streamline tasks that consume excessive time. This tool is scheduled for release later this year, but specific dates remain undisclosed. To access the preview, a Copilot for Microsoft 365 license is required.

Assuming no last-minute adjustments, features such as Product Manager will help create and assign tasks, track deadlines, and notify you when your input is needed through Loop. The Group Moderator feature is intended to summarize lengthy Teams chats, although it remains to be seen if it captures all important details.

Finally, the Meeting Facilitator will manage meeting agendas and take notes, with support for ad-hoc meetings provided by Team Rooms.