Microsoft rolls out Copilot Cowork and advanced research tools: Here’s how they work

On March 30, Microsoft unveiled a series of exciting enhancements to Microsoft 365 Copilot, introducing innovative tools aimed at elevating productivity and research capabilities. The latest update, part of what Microsoft refers to as Wave 3 of Microsoft 365 Copilot, includes the rollout of Copilot Cowork, advanced research tools, and the ability to compare different AI models side by side. Copilot Cowork officially launched to early-access users on March 9 and is now being made available to more customers through the Frontier program. This sophisticated AI feature utilizes technology reminiscent of Anthropic's Claude Cowork, enabling it to autonomously manage tasks across various applications such as Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint. Users simply need to describe their desired task, and Copilot Cowork takes over, executing actions and providing progress updates in real time. In addition to Copilot Cowork, Microsoft has introduced significant upgrades for the Researcher tool. These enhancements leverage multi-model intelligence, allowing for more complex inquiries. A standout addition is the Critique feature, which enhances the research process by utilizing multiple AI models from leading companies like Anthropic and OpenAI. This feature separates the task of content generation from the evaluation process, with one model responsible for drafting and another for reviewing and refining the output. Notably, the Researcher tool has demonstrated a 13.8% increase in accuracy, completeness, and objectivity in research assessments based on the DRACO benchmark. Moreover, Microsoft has launched the Model Council feature within Research, which facilitates a side-by-side comparison of various AI models. This functionality allows users to run models from both Anthropic and OpenAI simultaneously, generating comprehensive reports on the same topic. A third model then provides a thorough summary of the findings, highlighting areas of consensus and divergence among the models, as well as unique insights each may offer. These advancements are set to redefine how users interact with AI tools in their daily tasks, making Microsoft 365 Copilot an even more powerful ally in the workplace.