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In Microsoft 365 Copilot, agents are specialized AI assistants that extend Copilot’s capabilities by connecting to your organization’s data, automating workflows, and performing domain-specific tasks with minimal input from you.[support.microsoft][microsoft][microsoft]
What agents do
Agents act like “apps for the AI era”: they can retrieve information from systems (HR, CRM, finance), help with routine tasks (expense reports, IT tickets), perform specialized roles (meeting facilitation, research reports, data analysis), and even automate multi-step business processes.[microsoft][learn.microsoft]
Key benefits include:
- Enhanced productivity by taking over repetitive work.[support.microsoft]
- Improved accuracy and consistency through standardized, data-driven processes.[support.microsoft]
- Personalized assistance tailored to your role, team, or organization.[support.microsoft]
Types of agents
Microsoft distinguishes two main approaches:
- Declarative agents: Built using Copilot’s built-in AI infrastructure, models, and orchestrator. You define instructions, knowledge sources, and actions via low-code tools (Agent Builder) or pro-code (Visual Studio, Agents Toolkit). These run inside Copilot Chat and apps like Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint.[learn.microsoft][learn.microsoft]
- Custom engine agents: Fully customized AI assistants where you bring your own orchestrator and models (e.g., using Semantic Kernel or LangChain). These are hosted outside Microsoft 365 and suit complex workflows or specific model requirements.[learn.microsoft][learn.microsoft]
Agents range from simple prompt-and-response helpers to more advanced, semi-autonomous or fully autonomous agents that can execute processes on your behalf.[microsoft][learn.microsoft]
How to use them
In the Copilot interface:
- Open Agents in the left navigation (or under Chat > Agents).[support.microsoft][support.microsoft]
- Browse pre-installed agents or go to All agents / Agent Store to add more.[support.microsoft][support.microsoft]
- Select an agent and start a conversation using ready-made prompts or your own questions.[support.microsoft][support.microsoft]
You can also create your own agents (via Agent Builder or Copilot Studio) and share them with colleagues via a link.[support.microsoft][learn.microsoft]
If you’d like, I can outline concrete examples of agents that would be useful in a Dutch-language teaching or adult-education context (e.g., lesson-material generator, CEFR exercise builder, terminology extractor).
REFERENCES
[EN]
Build Agents with Agent Builder in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/copilot/extensibility/agent-builder-build-agents
How to Build and Train AI Agents | Microsoft Copilot
www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/build-ai-agents?msockid=158d5f046ec465d01bc74a466f8c64b5
Quickstart: Create and deploy an agent with the standard harness – Microsoft Copilot Studio | Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started
[ES]
Cómo crear y entrenar agentes de inteligencia artificial | Microsoft Copilot
www.microsoft.com/es-es/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/build-ai-agents?msockid=158d5f046ec465d01bc74a466f8c64b5
Compilar agentes con Agent Builder en Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com/es-es/microsoft-365/copilot/extensibility/agent-builder-build-agents
Inicio rápido: Crea y despliega un agente con el harness estándar – Microsoft Copilot Studio | Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com/es-es/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started
[NL]
Hoe je AI-agents maakt en traint | Microsoft Copilot
www.microsoft.com/nl-nl/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/build-ai-agents?msockid=158d5f046ec465d01bc74a466f8c64b5
Quickstart: Maak een agent aan en zet deze in met het standaard harnas – Microsoft Copilot Studio | Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com/nl-nl/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started