By Deborah Mary Sophia March 30 (Reuters) - Microsoft on Monday unveiled new features in its Copilot research assistant that would allow users to utilize multiple AI models simultaneously within the
Microsoft unveils AI upgrades, rolls out Copilot Cowork to early-access customers
By Deborah Mary Sophia
Microsoft Enhances Copilot with Multi-Model AI Features and Early Access Rollout
March 30 (Reuters) - Microsoft on Monday unveiled new features in its Copilot research assistant that would allow users to utilize multiple AI models simultaneously within the same workflow, the latest move by the tech giant to improve its AI offering and boost adoption.
Introduction of Multi-Model Capabilities
In a new feature called "Critique", Copilot's Researcher agent will now be able to pull outputs from both OpenAI's GPT and Anthropic's Claude models for every response, rather than relying on a single model.
How Critique Works
While GPT generates the response, Claude will review the output for accuracy and quality before presenting it to the user, Microsoft said. The company expects to make that workflow bi-directional in the future, allowing GPT to review Claude's drafts as well.
Benefits of Multi-Model Integration
"Having various different models from different vendors in Copilot is highly attractive - but we're taking this to the next level, where customers actually get the benefits of the models working together," Nicole Herskowitz, corporate vice president of Microsoft 365 and Copilot, said in an interview with Reuters.
The multi-model approach will help speed up user workflow, keep in check AI hallucinations - where systems generate false information - and produce more reliable outputs, boosting productivity and quality for customers, Herskowitz added.
New Features and Early Access Program
Microsoft is also launching 'Council', a feature that will allow users to compare responses from different AI models side-by-side. The upgrades come as Microsoft makes its new Copilot Cowork agentic AI tool more widely available to members in its 'Frontier' program, which provides customers with early access to some of its latest AI features.
Market Impact and Industry Context
The company's shares rose about 1% on Monday. Still, the stock is on course for its worst quarter since the 2008 global financial crisis with a drop of nearly 25% as investor optimism on AI wanes.
Copilot Cowork and Competitive Landscape
Microsoft unveiled Copilot Cowork - a tool based on Anthropic's viral Claude Cowork product - in testing mode earlier this month, capitalizing on the growing demand for autonomous AI agents.
The Windows maker has been racing to improve its Copilot assistant to drive better adoption amid intense competition from rivals including Google's Gemini and autonomous agents such as Claude Cowork.
(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
