Smarter AI for Research and Data Analysis

Smarter AI for Research and Data Analysis

Researcher

Researcher is designed to handle in-depth, multi-step research projects. It combines OpenAI’s deep research model with Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities.

It pulls information from a mix of sources, including Microsoft 365 work data (emails, meetings, chats, and files) and external platforms like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Confluence. Microsoft says Researcher can help users build go-to-market strategies, analyze industry trends, or create in-depth client reports by integrating internal and third-party data.

Analyst

Analyst focuses on data analysis and operates like a skilled data scientist; it processes raw data, identifies patterns, and generates insights. It’s powered by OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model and can perform advanced data analysis, including Python-based calculations and visualizations.

Microsoft says users will be able to watch the AI generate Python code in real-time, making it easier to understand and verify results. Analyst follows a “chain-of-thought” reasoning process, meaning it works through problems iteratively to refine its conclusions, mimicking human analytical thinking.

Early Access — but Not for Everyone

These tools will debut in April as part of Microsoft’s “Frontier” program, an early-access initiative for Copilot users. Businesses with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license can try these AI tools, while also acting as testers for features still in development.

In addition, Microsoft is rolling out updates to Copilot Studio, its tool for building custom AI agents. It’s offering new “deep reasoning” and automation capabilities that enable companies to create, manage, and deploy agents that handle multi-step tasks.

The company says this will allow organizations to develop AI-driven workflows tailored to specific business needs, while also using flows to automate processes quickly and predictably.

Copilot Studio Updates

The updates to Copilot Studio will include new features such as:

• Deep reasoning capabilities: enabling companies to create AI agents that can reason and make decisions similar to human analysts.
• Automation capabilities: allowing companies to automate processes quickly and predictably using AI-driven workflows.
• Custom AI agent creation: enabling companies to create, manage, and deploy custom AI agents that handle multi-step tasks.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s new AI reasoning agents, Researcher and Analyst, are designed to streamline workflows by handling multi-step processes that typically require significant time and expertise. These agents are part of Microsoft’s continued push to make AI a core part of productivity tools.

FAQs

Q: What are Researcher and Analyst?

A: Researcher is designed to handle in-depth, multi-step research projects, while Analyst focuses on data analysis and operates like a skilled data scientist.

Q: What are the key features of Researcher and Analyst?

A: Researcher combines OpenAI’s deep research model with Microsoft 365 Copilot’s advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities, while Analyst is powered by OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model and can perform advanced data analysis, including Python-based calculations and visualizations.

Q: When will Researcher and Analyst be available?

A: These tools will debut in April as part of Microsoft’s “Frontier” program, an early-access initiative for Copilot users.

Q: Who can access Researcher and Analyst?

A: Businesses with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license can try these AI tools, while also acting as testers for features still in development.

Q: What are the benefits of using Researcher and Analyst?

A: These agents can help users build go-to-market strategies, analyze industry trends, or create in-depth client reports by integrating internal and third-party data, and can automate processes quickly and predictably using AI-driven workflows.

Q: How do Researcher and Analyst differ from other AI tools?

A: These agents are designed to handle multi-step processes that typically require significant time and expertise, and can mimic human analytical thinking, making them unique in the market.