In April, Wave 3 introduced the digital assistant that plans and completes tasks on its own. Shortly afterwards, in May, Wave 4 integrated it more closely with the systems. Now comes the next step. And arguably the biggest one yet. Copilot no longer just answers questions. Copilot now takes on tasks – even when you are not actively watching.
Cowork is the system that plans, executes, and completes tasks from start to finish. You tell it what you need. Cowork handles the entire process. It also delivers a finished result, not just a draft. Since 16 June 2026, it has been available worldwide. Through Work IQ, it understands the context of your organization and delivers better results as a result.
In the Copilot app, you can switch between chat and cowork with a single tap. Chat for answers, cowork for getting things done.
Cowork automatically selects the appropriate model. For slides and graphics, it uses models from Anthropic. For in-depth research with sources, it uses a GPT model.
There are more plugins in the store. For example, Miro, monday.com, and Morningstar. Microsoft Fabric and Dynamics 365 are also included.
You can create your own skills. These are saved instructions for frequently occurring tasks.
Cowork now also creates images and graphics automatically, using your own PowerPoint slide templates.
Cowork runs on your mobile phone and notifies you when a task is complete or requires your approval.
You pay per use via Copilot Credits. Admins manage costs through a new dashboard.
Tip: Cowork is initially disabled and charged per use. Therefore, we recommend starting with a small test group. Set a spending limit and have a few proven skills ready. That way, there won't be any unpleasant surprises with the costs later.
The biggest news from Microsoft Build 2026 is Microsoft Scout. The difference to Copilot is simple: Copilot waits until you ask. Scout, on the other hand, is always active. It works in the background according to a schedule and does things for you.
Scout is a program for computers, for Windows and Mac. It can work with your files, open pages in the browser, fill out forms, and access Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, or SharePoint. It remembers how you work and automatically checks in at intervals while you are away.
Important topic: security. Each agent has its own identity in Microsoft Entra and no shared account. It can only do what is permitted. And Microsoft Purview reviews every action. Scout is still in an early phase and only available in the Frontier program, which administrators activate.
Tip: Even though Scout is new, it is worth clarifying the rules. Knowing which agent works under which identity will ensure you're prepared when more agents are introduced and become commonplace.
Copilot can now also work with your business data. For example:
Power BI: Copilot answers questions about your reports in natural language without you having to build a query yourself.
Dataverse: Data from Dataverse can also be queried. This is currently available as a preview and will be available to everyone in September.
Connectors: The connectors from May are now officially available. Admins will release them with a seven-day notice period before they reach users.
Tip: Check which connectors are active and release them step by step for each team. This saves a lot of time because you no longer have to switch back and forth between multiple tools.
New agents can only be deployed as quickly as a company can control costs and security. Microsoft addressed this in June.
Costs: The Admin Center now features a new dashboard for expenses. Admins can allocate Copilot credits, set limits per group, and choose between prepayment and pay-as-you-go billing.
Costs per team: Starting in July, team leaders can also see how much their team is using.
Purview for Cowork: The same security rules as for Copilot now also apply to Cowork. This includes confidentiality levels, logs, and eDiscovery.
Protection against external emails: Purview can prevent Copilot from using external email sources. This feature is currently available as a preview and will be available to everyone starting in July.
For companies in Switzerland and the EU, this is the most important news of the month. Trust determines how quickly agents are deployed. Companies that consider costs and data protection from the outset will progress faster and more securely.
Agents are now taking over real work. The question is no longer what AI can answer, but which tasks you delegate and under which rules.
Costs are becoming important. Budgets and limits should be part of your planning from the very beginning.
Copilot works closer to your data, thanks to Power BI, Dataverse, and the connectors.
Security makes all the difference. Clear rules ensure that you progress quickly and securely
Do you want to implement the new features smoothly, with a clear plan and effective management? That is exactly what we can help you with. Whether it is a test with Cowork, a check for the new agents, choosing the right models, or a roadmap for implementation, we will support you from the initial idea to the finished solution.