Microsoft Unveils AI-Powered Research Tools in 365 Copilot for Smarter Work

Microsoft is introducing new AI-powered deep research tools in its Microsoft 365 Copilot, aimed at helping users conduct more thorough and accurate research.

Recently, a number of AI-powered research tools have been released by major companies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and xAI’s Grok. These tools are powered by advanced reasoning AI models that are designed to think critically, analyze problems, and even fact-check themselves—key skills for deep research.

Microsoft’s two new tools are named Researcher and Analyst.

Researcher uses OpenAI’s deep research model, which is also the backbone of ChatGPT’s research capabilities. With added features like advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities, Microsoft claims Researcher can assist with tasks like creating go-to-market strategies and developing quarterly client reports.

On the other hand, Analyst is based on OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model, optimized for advanced data analysis. It breaks down problems step by step, refining its “thinking” to deliver detailed answers. Analyst is also capable of running Python scripts to handle complex data queries, and it even allows users to inspect its work for transparency.

One of the standout features of these tools is their ability to access both internal work data and the broader internet. For example, Researcher can pull information from third-party sources like Confluence, ServiceNow, and Salesforce to enrich its findings.

However, there’s a challenge: ensuring that these AI tools, particularly Researcher and Analyst, don’t "hallucinate" or provide incorrect information. Even with powerful models like o3-mini, mistakes can happen—whether it's citing the wrong sources, drawing incorrect conclusions, or pulling information from unreliable websites.

To give customers early access to these features, Microsoft is launching a new Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot users. Starting in April, those enrolled in Frontier will be the first to try out Researcher and Analyst, along with other experimental Copilot features.

This move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to bring cutting-edge AI research tools to everyday users, helping businesses and individuals tackle complex problems with more confidence and precision.