Microsoft Renames 365 to 365 Copilot: AI’s Evolution in Workplace Tools
Microsoft is taking significant steps to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) more deeply into its workplace tools by renaming its 365 application suite of collaboration and productivity tools to ‘365 Copilot’. Set to launch in mid-January 2025, this rebranding signals Microsoft’s commitment to making AI a central part of everyday tasks.
New Name, New Look, Same Easy Setup
From mid-January 2025, the Microsoft 365 app will be called Microsoft 365 Copilot. The company is redesigning the app’s user interface to prepare for future AI-first experiences. Key changes include a smaller top app header and a consolidated App toolbar on the left for all app-level tools and settings. Additionally, features like “Help me create” and “My Day” will be phased out to streamline the interface and improve user experience.
These updates will automatically roll out, so users and administrators will not need to take any action.
User Interface Revamp: Details and Benefits
The latest updates are designed to make the Microsoft 365 Copilot app more user-friendly. The top header is gone, and tools like user profile, settings, and feedback have been relocated to the bottom-left toolbar. Feedback can now be accessed under the ‘Settings and More’ section.
The search box has moved to the homepage but retains its full functionality. Apps in the left toolbar are aligned at the top, and AI features such as Copilot Chat and Copilot Pages are grouped together for easier navigation.
The navigation ‘Back’ button has been removed, facilitating navigation via the left AppBar. Features like “My Day” and “Help me create” have been retired, and AI-powered document creation is now part of the Copilot tab. Users can draft content like storyboards, agendas, and summaries using Copilot Chat.
Copilot Chat: Evolving to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Microsoft Copilot chat, which has received no ads and offers enterprise-grade data protection, will be rebranded as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. According to Tom Arbuthnot, cofounder of Empowering.Cloud, this rebranding is “the last (and very significant) Microsoft product rename of 2024.”
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat will feature web chat and agents that access content from SharePoint or Graph Connector. These agents will operate on a metered consumption model by default and leverage an Azure subscription through Copilot Studio, allowing users to benefit without a full Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
The chat will continue to be available in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and on the web. It will soon be available in Teams and Outlook, offering enhanced chat functionality and optional agent capabilities.
All Office and Microsoft 365 users will have access to Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. However, a Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to unlock the full experience, which includes access to work data from SharePoint, Outlook, and OneDrive and integration with other apps like Teams, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Microsoft Ignite 2024: Major Copilot Collaboration Announcements
Last month’s Microsoft Ignite conference spotlighted several updates to Copilot, aimed at enhancing business operations and productivity. New agents for Microsoft 365 (now known as 365 Copilot) are designed to tackle a variety of tasks, from routine to complex.
The SharePoint agent will provide rapid insights for better decision-making, while the Employee Self-Service agent will address common workplace policy questions. In preview, the Facilitator agent will improve Teams collaboration by taking notes and generating conversation summaries.
Coming early next year, an Interpreter agent will enable real-time translation in nine languages, and a Project Manager agent will automate project workflows in Planner, including task assignments and status reporting.
Planned Enhancements for Microsoft 365 Copilot
Further improvements to Copilot’s functionality are planned for 2025. Teams users will be able to summarise content, including shared files and meeting screen shares. PowerPoint will gain a Narrative Builder for creating branded presentations and support for translation across 40 languages.
Excel will introduce task-specific templates for budgeting and tracking, while Outlook will streamline meeting scheduling with agenda drafting tools. OneNote will integrate Copilot for improved multimodal note organization, and new Pages features will support advanced content creation.
Copilot Analytics: Empowering IT Administrators
For IT administrators, Copilot’s integration into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (MAC) brings powerful analytics and insights. Copilot Analytics will offer tools for measuring business impact through dashboards and detailed reporting, revolutionizing IT management.
Conclusion: Embracing AI for Enhanced Productivity
Microsoft’s renaming of its 365 suite to 365 Copilot and its resultant updates signify a significant shift towards AI-first experiences. These enhancements aim to simplify navigation, improve usability, and empower businesses with advanced AI tools.
As AI technology continues to evolve, businesses and individuals will benefit from these updates in achieving greater efficiency and productivity. Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to AI integration is a key step in the future of workplace collaboration.
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