A new era of AI in the workplace
As organisations become more accustomed to Microsoft Copilot, many are starting to recognise that we’re merely scratching the surface of what AI can achieve in a modern workplace. Copilot has swiftly demonstrated its worth as a powerful assistant; aiding users in generating content, summarising information, and responding to questions using natural language. However, the true transformation begins when AI not only assists, but also takes action.
That’s where Copilot agents come into play. Presented by Data#3’s Steve Bedwell and Genevieve Wood at the 2025 Juice IT Conference, these intelligent partners signify the next phase in the AI journey. Building upon the familiar conversational interface of Copilot, agents are designed to go further by executing tasks, managing workflows, and even making independent decisions based on logic and data. The endgame isn’t just efficiency, it’s autonomy!
Understanding the agent spectrum
Agents exist on a spectrum, ranging from simple information-retrieval tools to sophisticated, autonomous systems that continuously learn and optimise their behaviour. At a foundational level, an agent may extract and summarise data from internal systems such as SharePoint or a CRM. As capabilities increase, task agents can automate routine processes, such as submitting a leave request or assigning new leads to a sales team. At the most advanced end are autonomous agents, AI-powered processes that manage complex, multistep workflows without human intervention, learning from interactions and improving outcomes over time.
Three ways to deploy agents
One of the most compelling aspects of Copilot agents is their accessibility. Microsoft has developed a three-tiered model that allows organisations to engage with agents at the level that suits them best.
The core building blocks of every agent
Regardless of the tool used, the structure of an agent is built around four essential components:
Even with the knowledge component alone, agents can begin delivering value. By incorporating actions and logic, organisations can implement real-time task automation and decision-making.
Demonstrating what’s possible
Steve Bedwell demonstrated just how easy it is to get started with Agent Builder. In just a few minutes, he created a “Modern Work Assistant” capable of answering internal and external queries, drawing on both Microsoft Learn and Data#3’s SharePoint. The result was a responsive assistant that delivered clear, well-structured answers complete with direct links to source material. This wasn’t theoretical, it was deployed and primed for use.
Genevieve Wood then explored how more advanced capabilities can be achieved using Copilot Studio. By incorporating logic flows, conditional branching, real-time actions, and multi-channel access, agents become powerful automation tools. One example of an autonomous agent was how tailored AI use case recommendations based on a user’s industry, automatically pulling from curated resources and sending formatted, personalised email responses.
Governance, security and best practice
As organisations embrace the power of Copilot agents, thoughtful implementation becomes essential. Governance is crucial, especially when agents function independently and have access to sensitive information. That’s why Microsoft and Data#3 strongly recommend developing a clear platform strategy:
A business-driven, agile approach
One of the most valuable insights from the session was that Copilot agents should be a business-led initiative. While IT plays a critical role in providing governance and infrastructure, the most effective use cases arise from business users who understand where time is wasted, processes are manual, and decisions are delayed.
This requires a cultural shift. Traditional projects often discourage failure. However, in the realm of AI, failing fast presents a competitive advantage. By embracing rapid prototyping, test-and-learn sprints, and agile feedback loops, organisations can quickly identify what works, and discard what doesn’t.
The Data#3 methodology
To support organisations on this journey, Data#3 provides a clear implementation framework:
Whether the project begins as a single use case, a department-level use case, or a cross-business automation strategy, the same iterative, insight-driven model applies.
Getting started with Copilot agents
If you’re already exploring Copilot or using AI tools in your daily work, now’s the time to take the next step. Copilot agents present an opportunity to reimagine how your organisation operates, from enhancing response times and minimising manual work, to enabling new digital services that were previously too complex or costly to deliver.
The tools are ready. The models are proven. The support is available.
Data#3’s expert consultants are here to guide you, from strategy and use case design, through prototyping and deployment. Whether you’re aiming for your first AI-powered process or scaling agents enterprise-wide, we’ll help you move from idea to outcome with confidence.
Contact us to begin your journey.
Speak to one of our specialists today.
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