Microsoft Pushes Copilot Cowork to 365 Frontier Users as Agentic Race Tightens
In Focus
- Copilot Cowork is accessible to members of Microsoft’s Frontier Program
- Microsoft says Copilot Cowork allows users to delegate tasks with ease
- Microsoft also introduced new AI features to Copilot Research Assistant
Microsoft is rolling out early access to Copilot Cowork on the 365 Frontier Program, Reuters reported. The launch comes soon after the Windows maker unveiled Copilot Cowork last month. The move introduces an agentic tool that’s capable of handling complex, multi-step tasks across apps like Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
CoPilot Cowork uses a multi-model approach that combines OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude to deliver accurate results for users.
“Copilot Cowork makes it easy to delegate and complete work. Describe the outcome you want, and Copilot Cowork creates a plan, reasons across your tools and files, and carries work forward with visible progress and opportunities to steer,” Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer for AI at Work, Jared Spataro noted.
New Features for CoPilot Research Assistant
Microsoft’s Copilot AI upgrades for 2026 involved bringing new features to the Copilot Research Assistant. With the new features, users can simultaneously use multiple AI models within the same workflow. The new AI agents are Microsoft’s latest attempt to boost its AI products and increase adoption.
One of the AI features that Microsoft is bringing to its Copilot Research AI assistant is ‘Critique’. With this feature, an AI agent can extract results from Claude and GPT AI models. This means that the AI assistant will use both models to generate responses, instead of depending on one.
According to Microsoft, GPT generates the initial responses. Claude evaluates the results for quality and accuracy, then presents them to users. The tech giant plans to evolve this approach into a two-way process, where GPT can also review and refine drafts created by Claude.
“Having various models from different vendors in Copilot is highly attractive – but we’re taking this to the next level, where customers actually get the benefits of the models working together,” Microsoft 365 and CoPilot Corporate VP, Nicole Herskowitz said.
A New Approach to Streamlined Workflows
Microsoft’s CoPilot multi-model AI strategy is designed to streamline workflows, reduce AI hallucinations, and deliver reliable results to users. The company says that the ultimate goal is to improve productivity and output quality.
The tech giant has also introduced the Microsoft Model Council AI feature, which allows users to compare responses from the different large language models side by side. The Windows makers started integrating third-party AI models into 356 Copilot products two years ago.
Microsoft’s Copilot Cowork launch coincides with the wider rollout of the company’s agentic AI tools to Frontier Program members. Through this platform, the Windows maker offers customers early access to its most recent AI features.
How Does Microsoft Compete in the Agentic AI Race?
Microsoft continues to face stiff competition from Google’s Gemini. The company started testing Copilot Cowork earlier this month as demand for autonomous AI agents soared. Microsoft appears to be accelerating efforts to strengthen its Copilot assistant and drive adoption as competition intensifies from competitors.
