Microsoft unveils Copilot Tasks, an AI assistant that automates work while you focus elsewhere

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.

Microsoft's Copilot Tasks takes care of your to-do list for you

Currently in research preview phase with a waiting list, Copilot Tasks offers a glimpse into future AI automation capabilities. More and more AI tools are now becoming agentic, meaning they can perform actions on your behalf. Microsoft really wants to get in on the fun and hopefully convince users that they should switch over to Copilot, and they're doing so with a new agentic AI tool called Copilot Tasks. Microsoft describes Copilot Tasks as a to-do list that handles all the tasks for you. You can ask Copilot Tasks to take care of recurring tasks, such as creating a weekly plan every Monday or picking out the most important emails in your inbox every evening and suggesting replies. Copilot Tasks will also be able to do things like plan, book, send out, and collect invitations to birthday parties, keep track of your paid subscriptions and cancel the ones you don't use, and find, compare, and book the best tradespeople as needed. Microsoft states that these agentic AI features are still a "research preview," so it may be quite some time before they're actually launched to the general public. If you want to try out an early version of Copilot Tasks, you can sign up for the waiting list.

Microsoft's new Copilot Tasks finally does the work for you

The AI assistant moves from chat to action, handling everything from apartment hunting to canceling subscriptions in the background. Microsoft just turned its AI assistant into someone who actually clocks in. Copilot Tasks, a research preview announced today, stops the chitchat and starts doing multi-step work while you focus on other things. No more generating text you still have to act on. This version books, cancels, unsubscribes, and tracks stuff across the web with its own browser. You describe what needs doing. It figures out the rest. Recommended Videos The shift is simple but significant. Chatbots gave us answers. Copilot Tasks aims to give us completed items from the to-do list. Microsoft is letting a small group try it today, with plans to bring more people in over the next few weeks. What Copilot Tasks can actually do for you The company shared examples that sound less like tech demos and more like actual chores you'd hand off. You can set it to surface urgent emails with draft replies every evening. It will unsubscribe from newsletters you never open. It can track new apartment listings each Friday and book showings. For work, it turns a syllabus into a study plan with practice tests and scheduled focus time. It builds slide decks from emails and attachments. Job hunters can have it watch for relevant listings, then tailor a resume and cover letter for each one. It also handles shopping and logistics. Planning a birthday party? It will find a venue, send invites, and collect RSVPs. It monitors hotel rates and rebooks when prices drop. It scans used car listings, contacts dealerships, and schedules test drives. It runs while you rest. How the background AI keeps you in control Copilot Tasks operates with its own computer and browser, coordinating across services without you watching every step. But Microsoft stresses this isn't autopilot. The system asks before spending money or sending messages. You can pause or cancel anything. You describe what you need naturally. Copilot figures out the steps, whether that means browsing the web, creating documents, managing your calendar, or contacting businesses. It works in the background and reports back when finished. Recurring tasks run daily or weekly. One-off jobs just run once. You always get the final say. When you can try Copilot Tasks for yourself The feature launches today as a research preview for a limited group. Microsoft wants real-world feedback before expanding. More people will get access in the coming weeks ahead of the full release. You can join the waitlist now. Microsoft will notify you if you're selected. The company calls this the beginning of AI that works for everyone, not just developers. For now, the message is straightforward: assistants that actually assist are finally here.

'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.