Microsoft Build 2024 brought a wave of exciting news and announcements, including the introduction of new custom copilot features in Microsoft SharePoint.
One of the highlights of Microsoft Build 20241 is the introduction of the ability for anyone to create custom copilots from SharePoint2.
The integration of Microsoft SharePoint with Microsoft Copilot is transforming how workspaces operate, making them more efficient and connected. This integration represents a significant leap in the way organisations manage content and collaborate.
Custom copilot creation in just a few clicks
Beyond site owners and administrators, anyone with edit permissions on a site (such as site members) can now create a copilot in just a few clicks—no coding skills required.
Creating a custom copilot in SharePoint provides a simple entry point for using AI to support efficient collaboration around a specific project or topic. It also helps teams reduce time spent searching for information, allowing more focus on meaningful, high-value work.
Sharing custom copilots with a team
Also announced at Microsoft Build, is the new functionality that allows sharing of custom copilots with a team, so team members can interact with and learn from the same authoritative sources of information.
In the same way users share links to content in SharePoint by selecting “Share”, team members can easily share built-in copilot and custom copilots across an organisation.
These copilots can be created as needed and easily deployed across other Microsoft 365 applications like Teams, Outlook, Loop and Planner to participate collaboratively in meetings, take notes and actions, source internal files and share essential information.
Benefits of AI integration for Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Copilot brings AI directly into SharePoint to automate repetitive tasks, generate valuable insights, and provide intelligent suggestions. Using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Microsoft Graph, Copilot translates simple user input into comprehensive SharePoint sites and pages, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity.
Here’s how this transformative technology empowers businesses:
- Simplifying content creation with AI: Copilot makes content creation remarkably straightforward with new authoring tools that let users generate content using natural language. By understanding user commands, Copilot helps design layouts, add images, and configure site navigation settings. This ensures that new sites reflect the organisation’s branding while maintaining consistency.
- Enhancing collaboration with real-time co-authoring: Leveraging the Fluid framework3, Copilot-enabled SharePoint supports real-time co-authoring, enabling multiple team members to collaborate seamlessly. Enhanced sharing features, like section commenting, make collaboration easier, allowing inline feedback and approvals for a unified workflow.
- Aesthetic and functional enhancements for engaging content:
- Visual improvements: SharePoint’s visual overhaul, guided by the Microsoft Fluent Design System, allows organisations to craft attractive and captivating content.
- Advanced editing tools: Copilot provides advanced image and video editing capabilities like shape cropping and colour adjustment, creating high-quality digital experiences aligned with your organisation’s visual identity.
- Enhanced multimedia integration: Updated Stream web parts seamlessly incorporate compelling videos into SharePoint sites.
- Deeper integration across Microsoft platforms: Copilot’s deeper integration with email, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Viva makes SharePoint content accessible across the Microsoft ecosystem. SharePoint news posts can be shared via email, and SharePoint content is searchable and shareable within Microsoft Teams.
