Ep 43 - Build 2026 Recap

In this episode of The Copilot Connection, Kevin McDonnell and Garry Trinder dive deep into the biggest developer-focused announcements coming out of Microsoft Build—and what they actually mean in practice.We unpack a fast-moving couple of weeks in AI, from the shift in how Microsoft shares Build news (goodbye Book of News, hello live blog and CLI tooling), to the hands-on, lab-heavy focus that signals a return to Build’s developer roots. Expect plenty of perspective on what stood out, what worked, and what felt different this year.The conversation then turns to one of the headline releases: Copilot Cowork now generally available. Kevin and Garry explore how Cowork changes the way we interact with Copilot - moving from simple chat to task-driven, cloud-executed workflows with deeper Microsoft 365 integration. They share real-world usage patterns, from daily task triage to cross-device workflows, and discuss the impact of its new consumption-based pricing model (and why “value over tokens” is the mindset shift we all need).From there, they step into the more experimental space with Microsoft Scout—a local, autonomous agent inspired by OpenClaw that introduces concepts like heartbeats, browser automation, and powerful extensibility. The duo compare Scout vs Cowork, weighing up local vs cloud agents, flexibility vs control, and the growing importance of governance as agents gain more autonomy.Useful Linkshttps://build.microsoft.com/Build Live BlogBuild Blog - be yourself at workBuild Next Steps GitHub RepoCowork GAThe Cowork Cookbook (community link)Microsoft ScoutWork IQ GAWork IQ LicensingWindows Platform SecurityProject SolaraSurface Laptop UltraSurface RTX Spark Dev Box

Kevin McDonnell and Zoe Wilson are back, kicking off this episode with a lively wander through Copilot Cowork in preview — from using it on mobile (sometimes unintentionally…) to early thoughts on skills, plugins, stability, and why data residency still matters if you’re experimenting in the real world. Along the way, there are opinions, tangents, and a few “this is cool, but…” moments that will feel very familiar to anyone testing Copilot right now.The conversation then jumps ahead to Microsoft Build, where agents, observability, and the growing obsession with value and ROI take centre stage. Kevin and Zoe unpack why business goals matter more than shiny dashboards, how Agent 365 fits into the picture, and what all this means for teams trying to move from curiosity to confidence with AI — all wrapped up with event shout‑outs, future episode teases, and the usual friendly chaos

This week, Zoe and Kevin dig into Copilot Cowork and Agent 365. Fresh from a week at the Microsoft campus in Seattle, Kevin shares his key takeaways from MVP Summit — including a surprising amount of cross-product collaboration and a hands-on experiment building a conference bingo app entirely using GitHub Copilot's coding agent. Zoe and Kevin then dive into two of the biggest recent announcements: Copilot Cowork, now available in Frontier tenants, which takes Copilot from answering questions to actually taking action on your behalf, from organising your inbox to scheduling your week and creating reusable skills; and Agent 365, Microsoft's control plane for agents, launching on 1 May, which brings observability, governance, and threat protection for all your agents in one place. They also cover the practical steps to enable Cowork in your tenant, the current data residency considerations for European organisations, and the open licensing questions still to be resolved before general availability.Useful links:Lab that Kevin mentioned https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-agent-lab-soc-opskevmcdonk/mvp-summit-bingo: Web app for MVPs to track all those common phrases we hear over the week. Who will get bingo firsthttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2026/03/09/copilot-cowork-a-new-way-of-getting-work-doneGet started with Copilot Cowork (Frontier) | Microsoft LearnMicrosoft Agent 365 documentation | Microsoft Learn

Microsoft helped us make an episode this week but dropping some big Copilot news! In this episode, Zoe and Kevin dig into some of the news related around Copilot Wave 3, talk about what the recent org changes at Microsoft will mean and also highlight some of the upcoming events going on.Useful links:Zoe and Kevin keynote the Copilot Community Conference - Copilot Community Conference 2026Experts Live UKScottish SummitCall for speakers for Scottish Summit still openRajesh Jha retiringCopilot Leadership TeamFrontier SuiteCopilot Wave 3SharePoint at 25Copilot Cowork

In this episode of Copilot Connection, Zoe and Kevin are joined by Diana Wolfe, Head of Research & Strategy at Kyndryl, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing organisations today: the widening gap between AI ambition and AI implementation. Together, they unpack why so many companies struggle to realise value from AI investments, what human‑centred change looks like in an era of agentic AI, and how trust, psychological safety, and redesigned roles shape successful adoption.The conversation covers everything from workflow automation myths and cognitive overload to organisational silos, identity shifts, and the realities of embedding AI into everyday work. Expect thoughtful insights, a few laughs (including designer chickens and the underpants gnomes), and practical guidance on how individuals, leaders, and change practitioners can navigate the next phase of AI‑driven transformation.Tune in to learn why the future of AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, systems, and redefining what meaningful work looks like.TakeawaysAI implementation requires a holistic approachThe integration of AI technology presents multifaceted challenges AI adoption is evolving rapidlyHuman systems integration is crucial for responsible AI implementation

Send us a textIn this episode of The Copilot Connection, hosts Zoe Wilson and Kevin McDonnell are joined by Tricia Sinclair (Microsoft MVP and Avanade’s Global Lead for Contact Center & Customer Service) to explore the evolving role of AI in customer service and contact centres. They discuss how new Copilot AI agents like Case Management Agents and Intent Agents can automate processes such as email triage and understanding customer inquiries, and why many organizations are piloting these tools internally before rolling them out to customers. The conversation dives into adoption challenges – from ensuring quality data and training models to navigating consumption-based costs – and highlights governance solutions like the new Agent Hub for monitoring and controlling AI deployments. Tricia also shares insights on integrating these Copilot capabilities across the broader Microsoft ecosystem (with hints at what’s coming next) and emphasizes the bigger picture: using AI to augment, not replace human agents. The episode wraps up with a thoughtful discussion on the ethical and workforce implications of AI in contact centres, including the importance of maintaining human empathy, addressing potential biases, and keeping customer trust front and centre.Key topics covered:Case Management & Intent Agents – Automating case triage and identifying customer intent using AI.Internal vs. External Deployment – Strategies for introducing Copilot agents on internal service desks before customer-facing use.Adoption Challenges & Costs – Data readiness, model training, consumption-based pricing, and ensuring ROI for AI solutions.Agent Hub & Governance – Using Microsoft’s Agent Hub to track, manage, and govern Copilot AI agent usage and performance.Integration with Microsoft Platforms – How Copilot agents tie into the wider Microsoft stack and upcoming cross-platform capabilities.AI’s Impact & Ethics – The balance between AI and human agents, potential job impacts, and the need for fairness, empathy, and transparency in AI-driven customer service.p.s. decided to try Researcher agent looking at previous summaries to generate this summary. Let us know what you think!

Send us a textThis week, Kevin McDonnell and Garry Trinder explore the world of coding agents and how they could change software development. They run through what coding agents are along with the importance of context, memory, and specifications in using AI tools effectively. Also, they think about how you need to change habits and also touch on the challenges faced by junior developers in adapting to AI technologies, the role of personality in AI agents, and the future of work with AI. This isn't just the joy of agents though, this is about the need for security and ethical considerations when integrating AI into development processes, while also encouraging developers to embrace the potential of AI to enhance productivity and creativity.Takeaways:Coding agents represent the next leap in development tools.Understanding the context and instructions is crucial for effective use of coding agents.Memory in coding agents can enhance their effectiveness and personalization.Specifications and guidelines are still important in the age of AI.Junior developers should balance learning coding principles with using AI tools.AI can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for developers.The personality of AI agents can enhance user experience and engagement.Skills in AI can create repeatable processes for developers.The impact of AI on junior developers raises concerns about learning and understanding code.Security and ethical considerations are vital when using AI agents.Links:Github Copilot CLI - https://github.com/features/copilot/cli/Claude Code - https://claude.com/product/claude-codePatrick Rogers power of Coding Agents - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patrick-rodgers-b6a05610_i-love-to-write-code-ive-been-a-programmer-activity-7422672723191058432--Ob_Shipping at Inference Speed - https://steipete.me/posts/2025/shipping-at-inference-speedClaude Skills - https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512176-what-are-skillsAnthropic Skills Repo - https://github.com/anthropics/skills/tree/main/skills/slack-gif-creatorOpen Code - https://opencode.ai/Moltbot Soul - https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/blob/main/docs/reference/templates/SOUL.mdMoltbot - https://moltbot.you/Moltbook - the first agent social network? - https://www.moltbook.com/https://www.moltbook.com/post/ef3ea419-6c29-4046-9946-d636efe972eaBe careful with Moltbot/Clawdbot:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elishlomo_security-activity-7421867291459391490-a0B1/https://x.com/theonejvo/status/2015401219746128322https://x.com/borjitaea/status/2015745063909839091?s=46

Send us a textHappy new year to you all! In this episode, Zoe and Kevin take a short look at what happened with Copilot and with themselves in 2025, a short view on what they think and hope will happen with Copilot and AI in 2026 but focus most of the time on digging into the latest Microsoft Future of Work report that their science team has been making for the last 5 years. They explore themes such as AI judgment, collaborative AI, and the implications of inequality in the workplace amongst other things.TakeawaysAgent 365 has the potential to greatly impact organizational efficiency and control.Simplification in Copilot Studio and Chat enhances user experience and accessibility.Agents play a crucial role in simplifying complex AI functionalities.Fireside chats and workshops have been key highlights in community engagement.Recognition through awards fosters motivation and visibility in the tech community.The Future of Work report provides valuable insights into AI's impact on labor markets.AI judgment and perception can affect workplace dynamics and relationships.Collaborative AI is essential for enhancing teamwork and productivity.Key linksFuture of work reportTailwind newsSalesforce refocussing rolesJamie Teevan's keynote at ESPC

Send us a textIn this episode of Copilot Connection, Kevin McDonnell and Garry Trinder discuss the latest developments from the Ignite Conference. They delve into the renaming of Azure AI Foundry to Microsoft Foundry, the new features of the Foundry portal, and the integration of Claude models. The conversation also covers the importance of experimentation with language models, updates on the Teams SDK, and the nuances of the Agent 365 SDK. In this conversation, Garry and Kevin delve into the latest advancements in Microsoft 365, focusing on Agent 365, MCP servers, and the integration of low-code solutions. They discuss the potential of natural language processing in enhancing user interactions, the significance of declarative agents, and the importance of responsible AI practices, particularly in the context of red teaming. They may also chuckle at renames more than they should...TakeawaysRenaming products often indicates a broader vision beyond their original scope.The new Microsoft Foundry portal simplifies the process of managing AI agents.Publishing agents to Teams and Copilot has become more streamlined and user-friendly.Claude models are now integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, enhancing AI capabilities.Experimentation with different language models is crucial for optimizing performance.Understanding the purpose of each tool in the Microsoft ecosystem is key to effective use.The Teams SDK has been rebranded, reflecting its expanded functionality.The Agent 365 SDK builds on existing frameworks to enhance agent capabilities.MCP servers need to be exposed for use.Low code options are available for MCP management.Declarative agents are evolving with TypeSpec innovations.Red teaming is essential for testing AI agents.Responsible AI practices are crucial in agent development.User feedback is vital for improving Microsoft technologies.MCP is becoming a standard for data interaction.LinksIgnite Book of News Azure AI Foundry is now Microsoft FoundryDeploy and use Claude models in Microsoft Foundry - Microsoft Foundry | Microsoft Learn Teams AI Library is now Microsoft Teams SDKMicrosoft Graph is Work IQ....Agent 365 SDK MCP Management ServerKevin's example of MCP in Copilot Studio Type spec GA Connected agents Red Teaming agent  Copilot APIs

Send us a textAfter last week's Ignite conference in San Francisco, Zoe and Kevin run through the key updates around the different areas of Copilot, covering topics like:- Microsoft Agent 365- Work IQ- Microsoft 365 Copilot updates- Thoughts on the location and keynotePlus we highlight a few of the upcoming ESPC sessions to keep an eye out for.Ignite Book of News 2025Microsoft Agent 365Work IQ and other Microsoft 365 Copilot updatesAgent Mode in Office