Microsoft launches Copilot super app with 24/7 AI agents

Microsoft unveiled a redesigned Copilot app on Friday that merges AI chat, coding tools, and long-running autonomous agents into a single interface. The update introduces three tabs: Home for chat and the Cowork agent, Code for building apps by describing them, and Autopilot for always-on agents that pursue goals without further prompts.

Full versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint now run inside Copilot so users can create and edit documents with AI assistance without switching apps. Microsoft positions the release as a direct response to OpenAI and Anthropic, which have bundled similar capabilities in their own products.

“My test of true independence going forward is for you to have a private eval that you can hill climb on and substitute a model.”

CEO Satya Nadella framed Copilot as a hedge against dependence on any single AI lab, saying companies should be able to test models against private benchmarks and swap them out. Executive vice president Jacob Andreou contrasted Microsoft's approach with rivals that run code in local virtual machines, calling that a nonstarter for sensitive corporate data.

The app will use two billing models: a per-user fee covering chat and Microsoft 365 apps, and a consumption-based model for advanced features such as Autopilot. Microsoft did not announce Brazilian launch timing or pricing. A proactive Today dashboard for the Home tab enters private preview in October.