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Microsoft plans Copilot Studio ‘computer use’ for enhanced RPA scenarios

by Jason Gumpert
Editor, MSDynamicsWorld.com
Copilot Studio computer user invoice processing test
Copilot Studio computer use invoice processing | Source: Microsoft

MSDW Insight: Computer use as a replacement for traditional RPA is the latest example of Microsoft's wide-ranging ambition for Copilot Studio as an AI enabler in the business applications realm.

Microsoft announced plans to introduce “computer use” to Copilot Studio, the company’s SaaS AI agent building solution. Like the better-known class of tools known as robotic process automation (RPA), computer use with Copilot Studio will allow agents to do what RPA does: interact with on-screen graphical user interfaces as if it was a human user, but in a repetitive, automated way. 

“[C]omputer use is coming to Copilot Studio through an early access research preview. This new capability allows your Copilot Studio agents to treat websites and desktop applications as tools,” wrote Microsoft CVP Charles Lamanna in a blog post. 

The use case for computer use is much the same as RPA, Lamanna explained, such as when there is no API for interacting with an external system. Computer use in Copilot Studio will cover both desktop and browser applications. And it runs on Microsoft-hosted infrastructure, according to Lamanna. 

Unlike RPA tools, computer use will be more adaptable, he claims:

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Business Process Mgmt Copilot Copilot Studio Power Automate Power Platform Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
About Jason Gumpert

As the editor of MSDynamicsWorld.com, Jason oversees all editorial content on the site and at our events, as well as providing site management and strategy. He can be reached at jgumpert@msdynamicsworld.com.

Prior to co-founding MSDynamicsWorld.com, Jason was a Principal Software Consultant at Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), where he implemented solutions, trained customers, managed software development, and spent some time in the pre-sales engineering organization. He has also held consulting positions at CSC Consulting and Monitor Group.

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