Microsoft to launch AI 'employees' that can perform business tasks
The Guardian|October 22, 2024
Microsoft is introducing autonomous artificial intelligence agents, or virtual employees, that can perform tasks such as handling client queries and identifying sales leads, as the tech sector strives to show investors that the AI boom can produce indispensable products.
Dan Milmo

The US tech firm is giving customers the ability to build their own AI agents as well as releasing 10 off-theshelf bots that can carry out a range of roles including supply chain management and customer service.

Early adopters of the Copilot Studio product, which launches next month, include the blue-chip consulting firm McKinsey, which is building an agent to process new client inquiries by carrying out tasks such as scheduling follow-up meetings. Other early users include the law firm Clifford Chance and the retailer Pets at Home.

Microsoft is flagging AI agents, which carry out tasks without human intervention, as an example of the technology's ability to increase productivity - a measure of economic efficiency, or the amount of output generated by a worker for each hour worked.

This story is from the October 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 22, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
The Guardian

Peace deal

What will the agreement entail?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
'I felt the scapegoat' Bellingham laments media treatment on England duty
The Guardian

'I felt the scapegoat' Bellingham laments media treatment on England duty

Jude Bellingham has said he felt the \"whole world crumbling down on me\" after being mistreated and made a scapegoat for England's defeat in the European Championship final.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
The Guardian

United spent £8.6m sacking staff in drive to cut costs

Manchester United spent £8.6m on redundancies in the first quarter of its financial year due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's drive to reduce the workforce from around 1,000 by 250, the club's latest accounts show.

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
The Guardian

Slot says contract dispute may be bringing best out of Salah

Khephren Thuram on his father Lilian's activism, what Thierry Henry always told him, and facing Aston Villa

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Saka leads Arsenal's charge to blast away doubts on the road in Europe
The Guardian

Saka leads Arsenal's charge to blast away doubts on the road in Europe

This was some response to charges of being shot shy. Arsenal's lack of cutting edge on foreign trips had been the pre-match talking point but it turned out they had saved up a hiding for the continent's form team.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
City stunned by late fightback as Guardiola's winless run goes on
The Guardian

City stunned by late fightback as Guardiola's winless run goes on

Manchester City's losing sequence is over - just. But they are still a listing ship that can go down at any moment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Kerr breaks new ground coaching men at Hearts
The Guardian

Kerr breaks new ground coaching men at Hearts

Shelley Kerr will lead male player development at the Edinburgh club

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
'He's a cool cat' Special Bethell ready to pounce on Test debut
The Guardian

'He's a cool cat' Special Bethell ready to pounce on Test debut

Test debutant has impressed everyone from a young age but can he carry off batting at No 3 against New Zealand?

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
West Brom deny Isidor and hold out for draw
The Guardian

West Brom deny Isidor and hold out for draw

Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to 10 games but, as the smattering of gentle boos that greeted the final whistle testified, it was most certainly not a cause for celebration on Wearside.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
George in the groove and ready to rock for England
The Guardian

George in the groove and ready to rock for England

Manchester United left-back was never going to let rehab end her dream and hopes for a Wembley bow against USA

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024