Microsoft pilots OpenClaw-style agents to expand 365 Copilot's automation
Microsoft is testing a new way to make 365 Copilot more autonomous. According to reporting from The Information and confirmation from Omar Shahine, Microsoft is exploring technologies similar to OpenClaw — an open-source platform that runs AI-powered agents locally — to let Copilot perform tasks on users' behalf around the clock. The goal is to bring more proactive, automated assistance to enterprise workflows while keeping the integration compatible with corporate controls.
The potential benefits are practical and immediate for businesses. On-device or locally managed agents can reduce latency and improve responsiveness, allow deeper customization for company-specific processes, and help maintain data governance by keeping sensitive operations within enterprise systems. For teams, that can translate to fewer repetitive tasks, faster turnarounds, and liberated capacity to focus on strategic work.
Microsoft emphasizes an enterprise-first approach. Shahine described the effort as an exploration of OpenClaw‑like tech "in an enterprise context," signaling that Microsoft is prioritizing security, policy controls, and IT manageability as it experiments. That approach aims to blend the innovation of open-source agent tooling with the compliance and oversight required by large organizations.
The pilot represents a meaningful step toward more capable workplace AI. If successfully integrated, autonomous agents inside 365 Copilot could streamline scheduling, data pulls, report generation, and other recurring tasks — delivering clear productivity gains for millions of Office users while keeping administrators in control.