Microsoft Introduces a Redesigned Copilot
Microsoft has introduced a redesigned version of Microsoft Copilot, bringing together chat, work delegation, app building and autonomous AI capabilities in a single experience.The new Copilot is built around three major experiences: Home, Code and Autopilot. Microsoft says these capabilities are designed to help users ask questions, delegate complex tasks, build custom solutions and automate ongoing work.
Home becomes the new starting point for Copilot. It brings Chat and Cowork together, allowing users to ask questions, create drafts and delegate more complex tasks.
Microsoft is also integrating Word, Excel and PowerPoint directly into Copilot. Users can ask Copilot to create or update documents, spreadsheets and presentations while keeping the files editable and connected with the Office apps.
One of the biggest additions is Code, which Microsoft says allows people beyond traditional developers to create small, purpose-built solutions using natural language.
Users can describe an app, tracker, dashboard, automation or workflow, and Copilot can choose an approach and build it. These solutions can include desktop widgets, interactive dashboards and cloud-hosted internal applications.
Microsoft says Copilot Code is powered by the same underlying technology as GitHub Copilot and operates in a sandboxed environment. It can also be hosted securely within an organization's Microsoft 365 tenant.
Another major feature is Autopilot, previously called Scout. Microsoft describes it as a persistent AI agent that can continue working even when the user is not actively interacting with it.
Users can give Autopilot a name, role and goal. The agent can then monitor channels, follow up on conversations, perform recurring tasks and continue projects later.
Autopilot is cloud-hosted and can work across environments such as Teams, Outlook, chats, channels and documents. Microsoft says users remain in control by defining the agent's objectives, boundaries and permissions.
Microsoft is also introducing new tools to help organizations manage AI usage and spending.
The company says its new FinOps for AI capabilities will help businesses monitor AI-related costs, manage usage policies and understand which agentic tasks are delivering value.
Copilot is also expanding its connection with Microsoft IQ, which Microsoft describes as a unified intelligence layer for enterprise AI. This allows Copilot and its agents to work with business context, data and workflows across Microsoft's ecosystem.
Microsoft says Home and Code will begin rolling out through its Frontier program, while Autopilot is expanding to private preview at the end of September.
Microsoft also says Code will be available in preview for Microsoft 365 Premium and Pro subscribers later this year. Availability will therefore depend on the specific Copilot plan and rollout stage.
The redesigned Copilot moves beyond a simple chatbot experience. Microsoft is combining conversational AI with app building, Office integration and long-running AI agents.
With Home, Code and Autopilot, Microsoft is positioning Copilot as a place where users can not only ask AI questions but also delegate work, create software and automate recurring tasks.
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