1. Introduction to Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot Agents [0]

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1.1. What are Co-Pilot Agents? [0]

Co-Pilot Agents allow any user to build custom AI agents for specific business processes without needing technical skills.

  1. Purpose of Agents: Agents are designed to customize Co-Pilot for specific business processes or to automate particular tasks. [5]
  2. Early Release: The current experience is an early release with more features planned for the future. [6]
  3. Importance: Understanding agents is crucial for the future of AI at work. [10]

2. Accessing and Using Co-Pilot Agents [11]

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2.1. Accessing the Agent Builder [11]

You can access Co-Pilot agents through the Microsoft 365 app or within Teams, with options to get pre-built agents or create your own.

  1. Starting Point: The "Biz Chat" business chat experience is the starting point for AI interactions. [12]
  2. Access Methods:
    • Access via the microsoft365.com app. [12]
    • Access from within Microsoft Teams. [12]
  3. Agent Options:
    • "Get Co-Pilot Agents": Leads to pre-built agents. [14]
    • "Create an Agent": Allows users to build their own. [14]

2.2. Exploring Pre-built Agents [15]

The "Get Co-Pilot Agents" option provides a selection of ready-to-use agents, including those connected to Microsoft, third-party systems, and general systems.

  1. Pre-built Agent Page: This page displays a variety of pre-built agents. [15]
  2. Types of Connections: Agents can connect to:
    • Microsoft systems. [16]
    • Third-party systems. [16]
    • General systems. [16]
  3. Licensing: Licenses are required for agents connecting to licensed services. [17]
  4. Example: "Ideas" Agent:
    • A generic agent for brainstorming. [19]
    • Does not connect to other licensed services, making it easy to add. [20]
  5. Managing Pinned Agents:
    • Pre-pinned agents appear in the side panel. [21]
    • Agents like "Visual Creator" (for images) or "Idea Coach" can be pinned or unpinned. [23]
    • Unwanted agents can be uninstalled easily. [24]
  6. Using the "Idea Coach" Agent:
    • Provides suggested prompts to start conversations. [26]
    • Offers a quick start for brainstorming. [28]

3. Creating Your Own Co-Pilot Agent [29]

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3.1. Introduction to Agent Creation [29]

Creating your own agent allows you to define its purpose and functionality, leveraging a lightweight version of Co-Pilot Studio.

  1. Value of Custom Agents: The real value comes from creating agents tailored to your specific needs. [29]
  2. Initiating Creation: Click "Create an Agent" to begin. [30]
  3. Natural Language Input: The process starts by describing the agent in natural language. [31]
  4. Co-Pilot Studio Connection:
    • The interface is powered by Co-Pilot Studio, a more sophisticated tool for external agents. [32]
    • The Agent Builder is a lightweight, integrated version of Co-Pilot Studio. [38]
  5. Included in License: This Agent Builder functionality is included in your Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot license. [39]
  6. Target Audience: Designed for everyday business users to create everyday business agents. [39]

3.2. Basic Agent Creation: HR Policy Example [42]

A basic agent can be created by defining its purpose, name, and tone, and then configuring its knowledge sources.

  1. Defining the Agent's Purpose:
    • Start by describing what you want the agent to do. [42]
    • Example: Create an agent to answer questions about HR policy. [43]
    • Note: Microsoft is releasing an employee agent, making this specific one potentially unnecessary in the future. [45]
  2. Naming the Agent:
    • The system suggests a name based on the description. [46]
    • The name appears at the top of the interface. [47]
  3. Refining Instructions:
    • Specify what should be emphasized or avoided. [49]
    • Example: "Please maintain a professional tone." [49]
    • Example: "Be friendly." [54]
  4. Initial Output: At this stage, the agent primarily provides suggested prompts, acting as a shell to start conversations. [57]
  5. Enhancing the Agent: To go beyond suggested prompts, click the "Configure" tab. [59]

3.3. Configuring Agent Knowledge [60]

The "Configure" tab allows you to add knowledge sources, such as SharePoint URLs, to ground the agent's responses.

  1. Accessing Configuration: Click the "Configure" tab. [60]
  2. Description and Icon: You can change the agent's description and icon. [61]
  3. Instructions: The instructions provided earlier are visible and can be edited. [64]
  4. Knowledge Sources:
    • Adding Knowledge: You can add a SharePoint URL or browse for specific documents. [67]
    • Example: SharePoint Library: For HR documents, you can add an entire SharePoint library. [68]
    • Grounding Options:
      • Choose whether the agent should be grounded on web content. [70]
      • By default, Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot is grounded in your documents and the web, unless disabled by an admin. [71]
    • Scoped Agent: By selecting a specific SharePoint folder, you create an agent with a refined scope that only looks at that particular folder, not emails or Teams chats, and can be excluded from web grounding. [72]
  5. Use Cases for Scoped Agents:
    • Creating an agent that chats about a specific project based on a folder of documents. [78]
    • Provides a grounded starting point for specific information, unlike the general Co-Pilot which might require more effort to find the right data. [80]

3.4. Advanced Agent Creation: Slovenia Trip Example [81]

A more tailored agent can be created by connecting to multiple specific documents and providing detailed instructions on tone and content sourcing.

  1. Scenario: Creating an agent for an end-of-year staff trip to Slovenia. [82]
  2. Customizing the Name: You can change the suggested name to something more specific, like "Slovenia Fabulous Trip Guide." [84]
  3. Adding Specific Knowledge:
    • Connect to two specific documents:
      • A travel and expense policy document. [88]
      • A document about "things to do" from a different SharePoint folder. [89]
    • This approach is more specific than using an entire folder. [90]
  4. Providing Detailed Instructions:
    • Add instructions to give the agent more context, e.g., "This is fun." [92]
    • Instruct the agent to "Please use emojis." [93]
    • Specify how to handle certain queries: "if someone asks about expenses and policies, please get it from that document." [94]
  5. Refining Instructions:
    • You can edit instructions if they are not conveying the desired tone or emphasis. [98]
    • Example: If "fun conference" is overemphasized, you can adjust it. [100]
  6. Selecting Specific Documents:
    • Instead of a whole folder, browse and select the most recent version of the travel and expenses policy. [101]
    • Add another document, such as a PDF with information about things to do. [103]
  7. Future Capabilities (Actions): The ability to create actions within the agent builder is coming soon, but currently requires the full Co-Pilot Studio experience. [105]
  8. Current Capabilities: The focus is on bringing knowledge, instructions, tone, and behavior into the agent. [108]
  9. Image Generation: You can choose to enable image generation within the agent. [109]
  10. Web Content Grounding: Decide whether the agent should be grounded in web content. [110]
    • Enabling web grounding allows users to find additional answers beyond the provided documents. [111]
  11. Editing Startup Prompts:
    • Startup prompts are editable. [113]
    • You can remove irrelevant prompts (e.g., "what transportation options are available" if not applicable) or prompts for information not yet available (e.g., schedule). [114]
    • You can also add new prompts. [116]
    • The number of startup prompts can be reduced to a desired amount. [117]

3.5. Agent Testing and Icon Customization [118]

Before creating an agent, you can test its responses, and you can customize its icon using the Visual Creator Agent.

  1. Adding an Icon:
    • Icons must be in PNG format and less than 1 megabyte. [118]
    • You can use the Visual Creator Agent (which uses Designer) to generate an icon. [120]
    • Example: A downloaded icon that captures the essence of the trip. [121]
  2. Testing the Agent:
    • Click "Create" to proceed, but you can test it first. [123]
    • Enter a test question, e.g., "What is the travel allowance per day?" [124]
    • The agent should check the correct document (travel document in this case). [125]
    • You can refine instructions and prompts based on test results. [126]
    • The agent can be instructed to refer to a manager if an answer isn't found. [127]
    • Example: Asking about the allowance for dinner, and the agent provides the answer. [128]

3.6. Creating and Sharing the Agent [129]

Once created, the agent can be tested with clearer references, and its sharing settings can be adjusted to make it accessible to others in the organization.

  1. Agent Creation Process:
    • Click "Create" to finalize the agent. [130]
    • This process takes about a minute. [131]
  2. Agent Availability: The created agent appears in the Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot experience, similar to pre-built agents. [131]
  3. Personal vs. Shared Agents:
    • Initially, the agent is a personal agent. [132]
    • You can choose to share it with others in the organization. [132]
  4. Sharing Settings:
    • Access sharing settings to control visibility. [134]
    • Options include:
      • Link works for anyone in the organization. [134]
      • Specifically via a security group. [134]
    • Example: Setting the link to work for the whole organization. [135]
  5. Distributing the Link: Copy the link to make it available to other users. [136]

3.7. Using and Managing the Agent [138]

The created agent, complete with its icon, can be pinned for easy access and used to answer questions based on its configured knowledge sources and web grounding.

  1. Accessing the Pinned Agent: The agent appears on the side panel with its icon. [138]
  2. Interacting with the Agent: Click on a prompt to see its response. [139]
  3. Response Examples:
    • Internal and Web Sources: The agent responds using both internal documents (like the PDF of things to do) and public web information. [140]
    • Specific Policy Queries: When asked about "premium economy," the agent correctly identifies it relates to the travel and expenses policy and provides the relevant information. [143]
    • References: The agent provides references to the documents it uses. [145]
  4. Scope Limitations:
    • This agent is not connected to the rest of your data or the Microsoft Graph in the same way as the main Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot. [148]
    • If asked about a policy outside its scope (e.g., "grievance policy" not in the travel/expense documents), it will provide a generic answer or direct you to the HR department. [149]
    • In contrast, the main Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot, grounded in all business data, can find the grievance policy. [150]

3.8. Editing and Updating Agents [151]

Agents can be edited to update their knowledge sources or refine their scope as new information becomes available.

  1. Accessing Edit Mode:
    • Go back to "Create an Agent." [153]
    • Use the "My Co-Pilot Agent" dropdown to view all agents and select "edit." [153]
  2. Updating Knowledge:
    • Navigate to the "Knowledge" section. [154]
    • Browse and add new documents to the agent's knowledge base. [155]
    • Example: Adding an extra document about accommodation arrangements. [155]
  3. Scope Control:
    • Adding a document to a SharePoint folder does not automatically update an agent that was initially configured with a whole folder. [156]
    • Agents configured with specific documents need to be manually updated to include new information. [156]
    • Choose the level of control you desire over updates. [158]
  4. Confirmation: After updating, a confirmation message appears, and the agent will be able to answer questions about the newly added information (e.g., accommodation). [159]
  5. Result: You have created an agent with a narrow scope, connected to specific knowledge. [160]

4. Future Capabilities and Alternatives [161]

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4.1. Future Agent Capabilities [161]

The Agent Builder is expected to evolve, with future updates including the ability to create actions and enhance sophistication.

  1. Creating Actions: Soon, agents will support the creation of actions, adding more capability. [161]
  2. User Empowerment: Microsoft envisions every business user being able to create agents. [162]

4.2. Security and Governance [163]

Agent creation is secured and controlled within your tenant, with admin policies available to manage functionality.

  1. Admin Controls: Admins can switch off agent functionality if needed. [163]
  2. Recommendation: It's encouraged to allow users to experiment with this feature. [164]
  3. Security: The system is secured and controlled within your tenant, preventing data leakage. [166]
  4. Basic vs. Sophisticated Agents: Current agents are basic, but actions will add more sophistication. [167]

4.3. Co-Pilot Studio for Advanced Agents [168]

For more advanced agent building with greater functionality, Co-Pilot Studio is available, though it requires a separate license.

  1. Main Co-Pilot Studio: This is the primary platform for building more complex agents. [168]
  2. Licensing: A separate license for Co-Pilot Studio is required. [169]
  3. Advanced Functionality: Co-Pilot Studio offers:
    • Building specific topics. [170]
    • Full access to actions. [171]
    • More knowledge sources beyond SharePoint and web content. [171]
  4. Integration: Agents built in Co-Pilot Studio can be brought back into the Microsoft 365 Copilot user experience. [172]
  5. Further Learning: A tutorial for building in Co-Pilot Studio is available. [173]