Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2: What You Need to Know

Introduction 

It’s been a couple of years now since ChatGPT first launched and turned the world upside-down with the power of AI.  

Now that almost every software company has generative AI built into their platforms, it’s no surprise that businesses are looking for the best ways to leverage these tools.  

For Microsoft, the answer has been the introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot. It began with some core functionality in early 2024, but now the Microsoft team is ready to take things up a notch.  

In September, they announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2, which unlocks a slew of new features for existing Copilot subscribers. 

What is Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2? 

On 16th September 2024, Microsoft published a blog post announcing what they refer to as “Wave 2” of the Microsoft 365 Copilot suite.   

Microsoft has integrated AI directly into tools you’re already using, like Word, Excel, and Teams, so you don’t have to jump to other apps or platforms (hello, ChatGPT!) in order to take advantage of an AI-powered workflow.  

Wave 2 is focused on smarter collaboration, automating the small stuff, and giving you tools to streamline your workflow. In a nutshell, it’s AI that actually works for you.  

Let’s break down the biggest features coming with Wave 2. 

Copilot Pages: A collaborative AI playground 

Perhaps the headline feature for this update is Copilot Pages.  

Pages is built to be a space for what Microsoft calls “multiplayer AI collaboration”. In plain English? It’s a digital workspace where you and your team can work together in real-time, while the AI quietly chips in to help. 

So, whether you’re brainstorming, writing reports, or mapping out a project plan, Pages lets you collaborate with the whole team-plus your AI copilot-right there with you. The AI can suggest content, organise ideas, and even do some heavy lifting by analysing data or pulling in relevant resources.  

Pages can serve as a brainstormer, a researcher, and a project manager, all in one AI-powered package.  

To use Copilot Pages, start a chat with BizChat as you normally would at http://www.microsoft.com/copilot. Depending on your query, you’ll see the “Edit in Pages” button appear. Click it, and the response will open in an editable canvas where you can keep making edits, invite coworkers to collaborate, and more. Pages are persistent, so you can keep building them over time.  

Copilot Agents: Your new AI personal assistant? 

Who hasn’t dreamed of having a personal assistant to take care of the small stuff during the working day? Copilot Agents are Microsoft’s answer to that dream… without the salary.  

These AI assistants can be built in Copilot Studio or in BizChat, ready to take on routine tasks, from answering emails to scheduling meetings and even drafting documents. You can even use @mentions in a BizChat to summon the Agent whenever you need it.  

Agents are designed to integrate with all the Microsoft apps you already use. Let’s say you’re managing a project across Teams, Outlook, and Excel. Instead of jumping between apps and manually updating everything, your Copilot Agent can automate the entire process, so you can focus on the work that actually requires, well, a human brain. 

For a small business, where time and resources are limited, Copilot Agents can handle the small stuff, letting you focus on what matters most: growth, strategy, and, dare we say it, your actual job. 

Copilot updates in Microsoft 365 Apps 

The two updates we’ve looked at are already pretty extensive, but Microsoft didn’t stop there. 

Wave 2 brings smart updates to the Office apps you’re already using, making them even more powerful with the power of AI: 

• Excel. Say goodbye to manual data wrangling. With the Python programming language integrated, you can run advanced analyses, automate reports, and visualise complex data sets-without needing to be a coding genius. Whether it’s forecasting sales or simplifying data modelling, Excel’s new AI capabilities make it easy. 
• PowerPoint. Stuck in presentation purgatory? Copilot’s new PowerPoint features offer design suggestions and content help, meaning your slides will look polished without you spending countless hours on them.  
• Teams. With Copilot in Teams, meetings just got less painful. The AI can summarise key points, assign tasks, and remind you about action items. No more sitting through a one-hour meeting just to remember the three-minute nugget of info you needed. 
• Outlook. If email is the black hole of your productivity, Copilot’s Outlook update might just be the solution. Prioritising emails, drafting quick responses, and managing your inbox is now a breeze.  
• Word. Whether you’re staring down a blank page or need to improve an existing document, Copilot in Word has your back. It helps you draft content faster, suggests edits, and keeps your writing sharp. It’s basically your own AI editor, minus the red pen. 

Is your business AI-enabled yet? 

AI isn’t just for the enterprise level companies anymore-it’s for every business. Getting your company AI-enabled is far more affordable and accessible than you might think.   

With Microsoft 365 Copilot, you can take the repetitive, time-consuming tasks off your plate and give yourself room to focus on the work that actually matters. 

Whether you’re improving collaboration through Pages or automating your admin with Agents, these tools are designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine, not complicate it.  

If you’re still on the fence, remember this: AI is here to stay, and it’s quickly becoming essential for staying competitive. And that’s where the Get Support team can step in, helping you implement Microsoft 365 Copilot and ensuring you’re set up to work smarter… not harder. 

Want to know more about Microsoft 365 Copilot Wave 2? Ask your Get Support Customer Success Manager or call the team now on 01865 594000.