If you use Microsoft 365, you've probably heard of Copilot. However, a new feature is a game-changer: AI agents. Instead of simply answering your questions, they now perform a series of tasks for you, directly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For a small business in Trois-Rivières or the Mauricie region, this translates into time saved every week.
We explain simply what an AI agent is, what Copilot can now do in your documents, and how to create your own agents without writing a single line of code. No jargon, just what matters to your business.
Quick answer: An AI agent is an assistant that autonomously performs complete tasks, not just a question-and-answer robot. In Microsoft 365, Copilot can now operate in multiple steps within Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. With Copilot Studio, you can even create your own agents without coding to automate employee onboarding, inventory tracking, or customer service.
1. What is an AI agent?
An AI agent is a digital assistant that doesn't just answer questions. It completes a task from start to finish: it plans the steps, uses your tools, and then delivers a result. The difference with a traditional assistant lies in one word: autonomy.
Let's take an example. Asking someone to "summarize this report" elicits a response. Asking an agent to "prepare a summary of the report, highlight the risks, and then create a summary slide" triggers a chain of actions. It's this ability to act, not just talk, that makes agents valuable for real-world work.
- It breaks down a request into several steps.
- It connects to your software to retrieve the information.
- He produces a concrete deliverable, not just text.
2. What Copilot can now do in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Microsoft has added agent-based capabilities directly into Office applications. Specifically, Copilot takes action within your documents instead of simply suggesting text.
- In Word: write a structured first draft, reorganize a long document, then apply your comments all at once.
- In Excel: clean up a table, create formulas, generate an analysis and a graph from a simple instruction.
- In PowerPoint: transform a document into a presentation, adjust the layout and harmonize everything.
The benefit isn't magical, though. You remain in control: the agent makes suggestions, you approve them. It speeds up repetitive tasks, but it doesn't make the decisions for you.
3. Create your own no-code agents with Copilot Studio
The real innovation for SMEs is Copilot Studio. This tool allows you to build a custom agent for your processes, without needing to know how to program. You describe the task, connect your tools, and a simple dashboard lets you manage everything.
These agents connect to the software you already use. Microsoft is announcing over a thousand connectors to services like Shopify, Xero, DocuSign, and Asana, opening the door to useful automations without major IT projects.
4. Concrete examples for an SME
To make all this concrete, here are some realistic automations that a small business in Quebec can aim for.
- Onboarding a new employee: creating accounts, sending documentation and scheduling training.
- Monitor inventory and alert when a product falls below a threshold.
- Sort customer service requests and prepare standard responses.
- Automatically send reminders for unpaid invoices.
Our comparison of Copilot or ChatGPT for your SME helps you choose the right starting point according to your needs.
OKTO Tip: Start with a single agent, on a specific and repetitive task. Measure the time saved, adjust, then expand. This is the surest way to get real feedback without disrupting your teams.
5. Security and governance: maintaining control
Giving an agent autonomy requires a framework. Microsoft has strengthened governance precisely for this purpose, providing administrators with greater visibility into what each agent can do and see.
- Limit each agent's access to only the necessary data.
- Check sensitive actions before they are executed.
- Define usage guidelines with a clear policy for your teams.
A local IT partner can configure these safeguards correctly, so that the productivity gains do not turn into a risk to your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an AI agent?
It's a digital assistant that autonomously performs complete tasks in several steps, rather than simply answering a question. In Microsoft 365, for example, an agent can analyze a file, produce a report, and create a presentation from a single instruction.
Do you need to know how to code to create an AI agent?
No. With Microsoft Copilot Studio, you describe the task in simple language and connect your tools, without writing any code. IT support is still helpful to properly connect your systems and ensure everything is secure.
Is it secure for my company's data?
Yes, provided access is controlled. Enterprise-level tools offer governance controls that limit what an agent can see and do. Define a clear policy and implement security best practices.
Automate your tasks with a trusted local partner
AI agents can free up valuable time for your SME, provided they are carefully selected and managed. To identify the first useful automations and secure your data, explore our IT services or contact the OKTO Solutions team in Trois-Rivières for a free assessment.