Summary of Microsoft Teams Copilot Agents & features
This article details the new AI-powered “agents” being integrated into Microsoft Teams, designed to boost productivity and streamline workflows. Here’s a breakdown of the key features and benefits:
Core Functionality: AI Agents
* facilitator Agent: This agent operates during meetings. it can:
* Create and assign tasks mid-conversation, automatically adding them to Microsoft Planner.
* Draft documents (like project proposals) in real-time, using Word or Loop.
* Visually track meeting progress with a timeline and provide time reminders.
* Channel Agents: Each Teams channel can have a dedicated agent that acts as an expert on that specific workstream. They can:
* Provide status updates based on channel history, files, meetings, and plans.
* Draft weekly status reports.
* Surface vital deadlines.
* Answer specific questions about the workstream (budget, responsibilities, etc.).
* Viva Engage Community Agents: Proactive agents for communities, capable of:
* Drafting responses to unanswered questions, drawing from community conversations and SharePoint.
* Posting responses automatically (with admin approval) and adding a “Verified” badge.
* GitHub App for Teams: Allows developers to:
* Assign coding tasks to AI.
* Have the AI generate pull requests with code, understanding the repository and team’s coding style.
Underlying Technology: Knowledge Agent
* SharePoint knowledge Agent: Works in the background to organize information across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It:
* Tags documents.
* Tracks updates.
* Connects related content across Teams, meetings, and communities.
* Powers accurate responses to Copilot questions.
Benefits & Impact:
* Increased Productivity: Early deployments show measurable improvements in productivity and decision-making.
* Reduced Administrative Tasks: Employees spend nearly 40% less time on administrative work.
* Improved Information Access: Eliminates the need to search through endless message threads.
* Streamlined Workflows: Automates tasks like task creation, document drafting, and report generation.
Availability & Security:
* Facilitator: Generally available with a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence.
* Channel & Community Agents, GitHub Integration, Task Management/Document Creation: Rolling out in public preview.
* Security: Agents respect existing permissions and access controls. Admins can manage access and monitor usage through the Power Platform admin center. sharepoint Advanced Management is included for data governance.
In essence, Microsoft is aiming to embed clever “teammates” directly into the workflows people already use, freeing them from repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus on more strategic work.
