What is an AI agent?
An AI assistant answers when you ask. An AI agent can take a goal and work through multiple steps on its own to reach it: gathering information, drafting content, updating systems, and following up. Microsoft is now building agents into every part of Microsoft 365 and lets businesses build their own in Copilot Studio.
Where do agents add value?
The best use cases are tasks that come up often, follow a clear pattern, and span multiple systems. Examples include answering common employee questions, compiling reports, handling requests, and preparing for meetings.
The new risk
An agent has permissions and can take action. That means you need to treat it much like an employee: with an owner, limited permissions, and a plan for what happens when it's no longer needed. Without governance, you quickly end up with a lot of agents that no one is keeping track of.
What we recommend
- Identify three recurring tasks that would be a good fit for an agent
- Decide who is allowed to build and share agents
- Give every agent an owner and limit its permissions
- Start small and measure the results
How we can help
Wondering what this means for your organization? Let's talk.
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