Microsoft Launches Copilot Tasks AI Preview to Automate Emails and Study Plans
Microsoft previewed Copilot Tasks, an agentic AI system that executes user-defined jobs in the cloud without coding, delivering completed tasks such as structured study plans, email triage, and apartment monitoring. The feature is currently limited to select testers, with a public waitlist open for broader access.
1. Introduction to Copilot Tasks
Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Tasks, a new AI capability designed to perform background tasks on its cloud infrastructure. Unlike traditional chatbots, this system actively completes multi-step assignments based on natural language instructions, reducing manual effort for repetitive digital workflows.
2. Core Functionality and Use Cases
Copilot Tasks can transform a course syllabus into a structured study plan with practice exams, monitor apartment listings and schedule viewings, prioritize urgent emails with draft replies, unsubscribe from promotional messages, and generate slide decks from inbox content. The AI requests user permission before taking actions such as sending messages or making payments.
3. Testing, Availability, and Competitive Landscape
The feature is currently available to a small group of testers, with a public waitlist open for wider participation. Copilot Tasks positions Microsoft against other agentic AI offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic, as companies seek tools that go beyond conversational responses to execute tasks autonomously.