Microsoft Copilot Tasks uses cloud computing to automate emails, schedule tasks, and more

Microsoft's "Copilot Tasks" AI uses its own computer to get things done

Microsoft is previewing a new AI-powered "Copilot Tasks" designed to take care of busywork for you in the background, the company announced on Thursday. The feature takes the load off your device using its own cloud-based computer, allowing it to work across a browser and apps to handle a variety of jobs ranging from scheduling appointments to generating study plans. As noted by Microsoft, you can describe what you need to Copilot Tasks using natural language, and assign Copilot Tasks to complete jobs on a recurring, scheduled, or one-time basis. Copilot Tasks will provide a report once its work is complete. You can call upon Copilot Tasks to do things like organize your subscriptions and cancel the ones you don't use, as well as turn emails, attachments, and images from your inbox into a slide deck. Some other use cases include having the AI assistant surface urgent emails and draft replies, plan a birthday party from venue to invites; and keep tabs on new apartment listings every Friday, even setting up home tours. Copilot Tasks appears to be Microsoft's response to the agentic AI capabilities launched in recent months, including Claude Cowork, ChatGPT Agent Mode, Perplexity Computer, and the Gemini-powered "auto-browse" feature in Google Chrome. Microsoft says that Tasks will ask for permission before performing "meaningful actions," like making a payment or sending a message for you. For now, Copilot Tasks is only available in a research preview with a "small group" of testers. You can join a waitlist for Copilot Tasks from Microsoft's website.

'Just Ask For What You Need:' Mustafa Suleyman Teases Microsoft's Copilot Tasks As AI That Automates Emails, Study Plans And More - Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) is previewing a new AI system designed to move beyond chat responses and actively complete tasks in the background using its own cloud-based computing power. Microsoft Enters The Agentic AI Race With Copilot Tasks On Thursday, Microsoft unveiled a research preview of Copilot Tasks, a new artificial intelligence (AI) capability aimed at automating digital busywork. Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman took to X and described it as "a whole new way to get things done," adding, "AI that talks less and does more, no complicated setup or coding skills required." Unlike traditional chatbots that respond to prompts, Copilot Tasks is designed to take action. Users can describe what they need in natural language and assign one-time or recurring jobs. The system then runs in the background on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and delivers a report once finished. What Copilot Tasks Can Do According to Microsoft, the feature can turn a course syllabus into a structured study plan with practice exams, monitor apartment listings weekly and book showings, surface urgent emails with draft replies, unsubscribe from promotional messages and even create slide decks from inbox content. "Just ask for what you need and Copilot will take it from there," Suleyman wrote in a post on X. The company said the system will request permission before taking "meaningful actions," such as sending messages or making payments. Competing With ChatGPT, Claude Copilot Tasks appears to be Microsoft's answer to the growing wave of "agentic AI" tools, including offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic, that can browse the web and complete multi-step tasks. For now, Copilot Tasks is available to a small group of testers, with a public waitlist open through Microsoft's website. Price Action: Shares of Microsoft fell 0.58% in pre-market trading on Friday after edging up 0.27% to close at $401.72 on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro. MSFT earns a strong Quality rating in Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings, but shows a negative price trend across the short, medium and long-term time frames. Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Shutterstock Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.