Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/16/microsoft_copilot_wave_2/
Source: The Register
Title: Microsoft’s Copilot ‘Wave 2’ is a tsunami of unanswered questions
Feedly Summary: What the next few months hold for the productivity chatbot
Microsoft’s Copilot Wave 2 has arrived, bringing agents and unanswered questions.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses Microsoft’s recent updates to its Copilot suite, particularly Copilot Wave 2, which includes features such as BizChat and Copilot Pages, aimed at enhancing collaboration and data management within Microsoft 365. Concerns regarding user permissions, data sensitivity, and the overall efficacy of these tools in promoting secure practices are raised, highlighting the need for caution amidst the advancements in AI integration.
Detailed Description:
– **Overview of Copilot Wave 2**:
– Introduces features like BizChat and Copilot Pages, designed to centralize user data (corporate, web, etc.) into a cohesive workflow.
– Emphasizes a “multiplayer, human to AI to human collaboration” work pattern.
– **Product Features**:
– **BizChat**: A hub for integrating various data types to streamline work processes.
– **Copilot Pages**: Allows ephemeral AI-generated content to be durable, editable, and shareable.
– **Availability**: Some features are restricted to paying customers of Microsoft 365 Copilot, with upcoming access for free account holders using Microsoft Entra.
– **Data Protection Concerns**:
– Questions remain about how Pages respects user permissions, particularly regarding confidential information sharing.
– **Wider Integration in Microsoft 365**:
– Copilot functionalities have expanded to Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and OneDrive, suggesting that AI tools are becoming ubiquitous in productivity software.
– Specific applications include leveraging Python for Excel, improving search functionality in OneDrive, and summarizing meetings and email analyses with Copilot.
– **Copilot Agents**:
– Microsoft introduces agents, varying from basic response prompts to advanced autonomous agents, alongside an agent builder in Copilot Studio to facilitate task automation and process streamlining.
– **Cautions and Critique**:
– Analysts express skepticism regarding user trust in data handling and the effectiveness of Copilot’s promised productivity boosts, especially in light of compliance concerns and potential security issues.
– **Broader Context**:
– The text hints at the implications of AI integrations in enterprise settings, emphasizing the dual need for innovative productivity tools and robust security measures.
– **Implications for Security and Compliance Professionals**:
– It is crucial for organizations to evaluate the compliance aspects and potential security risks associated with the deployment of AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot.
– Professionals need to ensure that proper safeguards are in place to protect sensitive data as the capability for collaboration and information sharing increases with these AI advancements.