TL;DR:
- Microsoft is expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot with plugin integrations.
- The AI assistant will have access to data from thousands of third-party software tools.
- Plugin extensions act as a bridge between Copilot and other business applications.
- This shift transforms M365 Copilot into a platform strategy for Microsoft.
- The addition of plugins helps users work without switching apps.
- Microsoft aims to retain user attention within its apps.
- Early access customers will have access to 50 plugins, with more to come.
- The focus should be on high-quality plugins with a depth of capability.
- Integration methods include OpenAI’s plugin format, Teams message extensions, and Power Platform connectors.
- M365 Copilot will be natively integrated into Microsoft Edge.
- A new Copilot for Windows 11 will provide AI assistance.
- Windows 11 users can access the Copilot directly from the taskbar.
- Windows Copilot aims to improve productivity and assist with rewriting and summarizing content.
Main AI News:
In an exciting announcement at its Build developer conference, Microsoft revealed its plan to allow customers to connect Microsoft 365 Copilot, its generative AI assistant, to a wide range of third-party applications through “plugin” integrations. This move effectively grants the AI assistant access to a vast amount of data from thousands of software tools beyond the Microsoft suite.
Since its unveiling in March, the AI assistant has been leveraging OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 large language model (LLM) to automate various processes within Word, Outlook, Teams, and other apps in the Microsoft 365 (M365) suite. Over the past weeks, Microsoft has been diligently expanding the ways in which customers can access Copilot across M365 apps, even extending a private preview to 600 businesses.
The newly introduced “plugin extensions” serve as a bridge between Copilot and other software systems used by businesses. These plugins enable the AI assistant to tap into a broader range of data sources, including internal applications developed within organizations or third-party tools.
Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft’s chief communications officer, described plugins as the “connection between copilots and the rest of the digital world.” He emphasized their pivotal role in transforming M365 Copilot from a mere product into a comprehensive platform strategy for Microsoft. Ritu Jyoti, group vice president for worldwide artificial intelligence (AI) and automation research at IDC, likened Microsoft 365 Copilot to the “OS” of the future, with plugins acting as the tools that allow businesses and independent software vendors (ISVs) to participate in the emerging ecosystem.
The addition of plugins brings numerous benefits to users, who can now seamlessly accomplish tasks without switching between multiple applications. Adam Preset, the vice president analyst for the digital workplace at Gartner, acknowledged the advantage for Microsoft as well, as it becomes more challenging for other productivity application vendors to divert worker attention away from Microsoft’s popular apps like Teams and Outlook.
Early access customers of M365 Copilot will have access to 50 plugins developed by software vendors such as Atlassian, Adobe, ServiceNow, and Mural. Additionally, Microsoft plans to introduce “thousands more” plugins in the months to come. Preset suggested that many developers will be eager to join the AI story and create plugins to ensure their applications remain visible and relevant.
As more plugins are introduced, the focus should shift from the sheer number of integrations to the quality and utility they offer. Preset stressed the importance of high-quality plugins with substantial capability and functionality. Shallow plugins with limited utility would only lead to users continuing to switch between different applications, defeating the purpose of a seamless and integrated experience.
Microsoft outlined several methods for integrating the M365 Copilot into other apps, including OpenAI’s plugin format that enables ChatGPT chatbot integration with external apps. At the Build conference, Microsoft announced its adoption of the same open plugin standard as OpenAI, ensuring interoperability across ChatGPT, the M365 Copilot, Microsoft’s Bing AI assistant, and Copilot AI assistants specifically designed for Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and security products.
Furthermore, Microsoft stated that plugins for Copilot could be connected through Teams message extensions and Power Platform connectors, providing flexibility for developers who have already built integrations within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Another significant announcement made at Build is the native integration of M365 Copilot into Microsoft’s Edge web browser. Lindsay Kubasik, group product manager for Edge Enterprise, highlighted the seamless synergy between Edge and Microsoft 365 Copilot, as the AI assistant now intelligently follows the context of users’ browsing activities to provide more accurate and relevant answers. For example, when viewing a shared file, users can simply ask, “What are the key takeaways from this document?“
In addition to these advancements, Microsoft unveiled a new Copilot designed specifically for Windows 11. Panos Panay, Microsoft’s chief product officer, emphasized that Windows 11 is the first PC platform to offer centralized AI assistance to customers. The Windows Copilot can be conveniently accessed directly from the Windows 11 taskbar via a dedicated Copilot icon. It functions similarly to Microsoft’s Bing Chat, allowing users to ask questions in natural language and request the AI assistant to rewrite or summarize written content.
The Windows Copilot will be available for preview on Windows 11 starting in June, representing yet another milestone in Microsoft’s journey to enhance productivity and user experiences through intelligent AI assistance.
Conlcusion:
The expansion of Microsoft 365 Copilot with plugin integrations signifies a significant advancement in the market. By providing customers with the ability to connect the AI assistant to a wide range of third-party applications, Microsoft is creating a comprehensive platform strategy. This move not only enhances productivity and streamlines workflows for businesses but also strengthens Microsoft’s position as a central hub for work-related activities.
The availability of high-quality plugins from various software vendors further adds value to the ecosystem, attracting developers to participate and ensuring a diverse range of integrated solutions. With the native integration of Copilot into Microsoft Edge and the introduction of a dedicated Copilot for Windows 11, Microsoft is solidifying its commitment to AI assistance and creating a seamless user experience across its suite of products. This development sets a new standard in the market, emphasizing the importance of integrated AI solutions and establishing Microsoft as a leader in the evolving landscape of business productivity and automation.
