Acknowledging that artificial intelligence requires a specific and advanced skillset, Microsoft declared any company can become an AI-first company with agents helping plug the gaps where companies are struggling with ongoing talent shortages to help them remain unique – a competitive advantage that they should not lose.

The AI tools, some acting autonomously and others in concert with a worker, can complete tasks like researching and sorting through sales leads or updating a customer support ticket after a phone call.

In November, customers can start using Copilot Studio to make their own AI apps to perform many routine tasks.

At a Microsoft (MSFT) event here earlier this month, attendees sipped drinks and sampled hors d’oeuvres as Kendrick Lamar pulsed through the speakers. They meandered between rows of laptops, each demonstrating the latest capabilities of the company’s flagship AI product,

Microsoft is preparing to introduce autonomous AI agents next month, marking a major step in the company's push to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday business operations.

Cloud giants Microsoft and Google are both moving quickly in the trending field of autonomous AI agents as the GenAI space matures from simple query-and-response chatbots and content creators.