Microsoft Copilot Studio: build your own AI agents for everyday work
Copilot Studio lets organisations build their own AI agents with low-code tools. Here is what it does, where it helps and how to start safely.
Updated October 2026 · 6 min read
Microsoft introduced Copilot Studio at Ignite 2023 as a low-code way to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot and build standalone copilots, now usually called agents. It brings generative AI to everyday business processes without needing a team of developers.
What is Microsoft Copilot Studio?
Copilot Studio is a graphical, low-code environment for creating AI agents. An agent can hold a conversation, answer questions from your organisation's own content, and carry out tasks by connecting to business systems.
What you can do with it
- Customise Microsoft 365 Copilot for your own scenarios and business processes.
- Build standalone agents for a website, Teams or internal portal, using a drag-and-drop designer.
- Ground answers in your data, such as SharePoint sites, documents and public web pages.
- Take action through hundreds of connectors and Power Automate flows, for example creating a ticket or updating a record.
- Manage and monitor agents centrally, with analytics on usage and performance.
Practical use cases
| Team | Example agent |
|---|---|
| HR | Answers policy and leave questions from the staff handbook |
| IT support | Resets passwords, logs tickets and checks service status |
| Sales | Summarises product information and drafts proposals |
| Customer service | Answers common enquiries on your website, handing over to a person when needed |
| Finance | Explains expense rules and checks claim status |
Getting ready: data and governance first
An agent is only as good, and as safe, as the data it can reach. Before building, make sure:
- Permissions are correct: people should only see content they are allowed to see.
- Content is current: remove outdated or duplicate documents from the sources you connect.
- Sensitive data is labelled and protected, for example with Microsoft Purview.
- Ownership is clear: decide who builds, approves and maintains each agent.
How to start
Pick one high-volume, low-risk use case, such as internal IT or HR questions. Build a pilot, measure how many questions it resolves, then expand. Small, proven wins build confidence faster than an ambitious first project.
Related serviceAI & AutomationCopilot readiness, AI governance, Power Automate and intelligent document processing.Explore AI & automation →Frequently asked questions
Do we need Microsoft 365 Copilot to use Copilot Studio?
No. Copilot Studio can build standalone agents. Extending Microsoft 365 Copilot itself requires Copilot licences. Licensing changes regularly, so check current options before you plan.
Do we need developers?
Most agents can be built by trained business or IT staff using the low-code designer. Developers help with complex integrations.
Is our data used to train Microsoft's models?
Microsoft states that customer data in its commercial Copilot services is not used to train its foundation models, and existing permissions are respected.
What is a Copilot readiness assessment?
A review of your data, permissions, security and licensing to confirm you can adopt Copilot safely, with a prioritised list of fixes.