Microsoft adds AI-powered deep research tools to Copilot

Microsoft is set to introduce a cutting-edge AI tool within Microsoft 365 Copilot, its AI chatbot application, called “deep research.”

A wave of deep research agents has recently emerged in the realm of chatbots, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and xAI’s Grok. These agents leverage reasoning AI models that possess the ability to analyze problems and verify information — essential skills for conducting thorough research.

Microsoft’s offerings, Researcher and Analyst, stand out in this competitive landscape.

Researcher combines OpenAI’s deep research model with advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities, enabling tasks like developing go-to-market strategies and generating quarterly reports.

Analyst, on the other hand, utilizes OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model for advanced data analysis, with the ability to run Python for complex data queries and provide detailed answers.

What sets Microsoft’s deep research tools apart is their access to both internal work data and external sources like the web, enabling them to tap into third-party data connectors for additional insights.

Despite their capabilities, there are challenges to address, such as ensuring accuracy and reliability to prevent misinformation or incorrect conclusions.

Microsoft is rolling out a new Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot users to access Researcher and Analyst, starting in April for those enrolled in the program.