Microsoft tests OpenClaw-style AI agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot

In short: Microsoft is testing OpenClaw-style AI bots for Microsoft 365 Copilot to help it handle work tasks more automatically.

What happened

Microsoft is exploring ways to add OpenClaw-style features to Microsoft 365 Copilot, according to a report from The Information that was also covered by The Verge. The goal is to make Copilot run on its own “around the clock” while doing tasks for users.

Omar Shahine, a corporate vice president at Microsoft, confirmed to The Information that the company is “exploring the potential of technologies like OpenClaw in an enterprise context.” “Enterprise” here means workplaces and large organizations.

OpenClaw is an open-source platform, which means the code is publicly available for people to use and modify. It lets people create AI “agents,” which are bots that can take actions for you, a bit like a helpful assistant that does more than answer questions. OpenClaw has grown quickly, but it has also raised serious security concerns in recent months.

The report says Microsoft believes it can build a safer version. One idea is an always-on Copilot that watches a user’s Outlook email and calendar and then suggests a daily list of tasks. Microsoft is also looking at role-based agents for jobs like marketing, sales, and accounting, so each bot has limited access, like giving a spare key that only opens one door.

Microsoft may show some of these features at its Build conference, which starts June 2.

Why it matters

If Copilot becomes more “hands-on,” it could save time for office workers, but it also raises a basic question. How much access should an automated helper get to your messages, files, and schedule, especially given past security worries around similar tools?

Source: The Verge AI