MS Opens 'AI Assistant' Era... AI Handles Meeting Interpretation and Leave Requests

Annual Event 'Ignite 2024'
Major Unveiling of AI Agent Features
File Search and Foreign Language Interpretation
Evolution of Existing Business Software

Microsoft (MS) has unveiled a large number of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) assistant (agent) functions. The goal is to enhance work efficiency by using AI agents to handle daily repetitive tasks.

On the 19th (local time), MS held its annual event, 'Ignite 2024,' in Chicago, USA, where it introduced new AI functions including AI agents.

On the 19th, Satya Nadella, CEO of MS, is delivering the keynote speech at 'Ignite 2024' held in Chicago, USA. Photo by MS

The most notable feature is the new AI agents provided in '365 Copilot.' These AI agents handle documents and administrative tasks related to work, such as file searching, foreign language interpretation, and project management.

File searching is handled by the 'SharePoint Agent.' It is linked to specific sites, files, and folders to help users easily find the information they need. The 'Interpretation Agent' provides real-time voice interpretation on the video conferencing platform Teams; users can select their preferred language from nine options and immediately hear the interpreted speech of the other party. The 'Employee Self-Service Agent' handles administrative tasks such as leave requests, checking payroll or welfare information, and equipment requests, while the 'Project Manager Agent' manages overall project tasks including task assignment, progress tracking, and status reporting. Jared Spataro, MS Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), emphasized, "AI assistants will solve the biggest challenges individuals face at work and drive tangible business outcomes."

Users can also create their own AI agents. This is possible through 'Copilot Studio Autonomous Agent,' a platform for designing and managing AI-based agents. Users can receive templates for various scenarios by utilizing the 'Agent Library.' It is also possible to design and deploy AI agents by connecting Copilot Studio with coding agents. Satya Nadella, MS Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated, "In the future, each individual employee will have a copilot to assist with their work," adding, "Thousands of AI agents will be available within Copilot."

Users can easily create and utilize AI agents on platforms such as SharePoint. Provided by MS

MS's existing business software (SW) has evolved to the next level with AI. Teams has added a 'Shared Screen Content Analysis' feature. AI analyzes the content shared on the screen during video meetings and records key points. It also integrates chats and presentation materials from meetings to create new content. This goes beyond the previous AI functions that recorded and summarized meeting content. PowerPoint has added a feature called 'Narrative Builder,' which selects important content from documents and creates slides with charts and animations. Excel has introduced a 'New Start Experience' that creates customized templates for users.

MS also unveiled its self-designed data processing unit (DPU) called 'Azure Boost DPU.' Known as a data processing accelerator, a DPU increases data processing speed and is a processor necessary for high-performance data computation like AI. Since it manages data flow, it also plays a role in protecting sensitive data. MS has been developing its own DPU since acquiring the DPU startup Fungible last year.

With MS's aggressive moves, competition among global big tech companies in AI agents is expected to intensify. OpenAI is preparing to launch an AI agent called 'Operator.' Internal demonstrations reportedly showed that the AI agent could order food delivery via the internet or search websites to find solutions when coding problems arise. Anthropic, considered a rival to OpenAI, released an AI agent last month that uses computers like a human to perform complex tasks on behalf of users. Google is also testing its AI agent 'Jarvis' with select developers.

Despite pouring astronomical funds into AI models, these companies have faced slow monetization and are now betting heavily on AI agents. Their intention is to generate revenue through AI services that can be used in everyday life. According to global market research firm Grand View Research, the global AI agent market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 42.8%, reaching $70.53 billion (approximately 93 trillion KRW) by 2030.