Ep 40 - diving into Copilot Wave 3

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

Send us a textWith Ignite just a week away, Zoe and Kevin got together to pick out some interesting sessions as well as several chats about what the key themes coming across are. Naturally, Copilot and agents were our main focus but there were also a couple of other areas that caught our eye.See the sessions at https://ignite.microsoft.com.Sessions mentioned (or that we ran out of time to mention):- BRK402 Our Agentic Era: Building Accessible and Responsible AI for Everyone Low code- BRK1742 Advanced Agent Development with Copilot Studio- BRK 314 -Building agents with Copilot Studio and Azure AI Foundry Pro code - lots about scaling- BRK1706 - Innovation Session: Your AI Apps and Agent Factory- BRK189 AI agents in Azure AI Foundry, ship fast, scale fearlessly- BRK411 Beyond Models: What No One's Telling you about Scaling Agents Securing and managing agents- BRK306 Innovation Session: Latest AI agent innovation in security, control and productivity- BRK265  Secure access for AI agents with Microsoft EntraIn-person- THR821 Copilot for Physical AI- THR763 Copilot & agent intelligence: Reporting for frontier firms- THR759 Copilot Trust & Safety: Controls to manage AI riskOne for fun- BRK 432 Scott & Mark learn to connect the dotsNot mentioned but still interesting- BRK292 Fireside chat: How customers are unlocking value & growth with Copilot- BRK319 Build Agents for Copilot with the Microsoft 365 Agents Toolkit- BRK167 Maintain regulatory compliance with the Microsoft Sovereign Cloud- BRK288 SharePoint: The Knowledge Platform for Copilot and Agents- BRK281 Unlocking the all-in-one AI Advantage of Microsoft 365 Copilot

Send us a textIt has been a little while since the last episode with Zoe and Kevin so they share some of their own news on why things have been a little quieter over the summer and then discuss the latest updates and news from Microsoft 365 Copilot. We recap recent events, including the Collab Summit North America, Experts Live UK conference, and share our upcoming events. On the news side we delve into significant announcements from lasast couple of months, including the introduction of the Knowledge Agent to "Frontier Firms", licensing changes, and the implications of GPT-5. Plus, Zoe pulls off some awesome dance moves without even realising it.AI powered TakeawaysThe Knowledge Agent aims to enhance knowledge management within organizations.Licensing changes are designed to encourage broader adoption of Copilot features.AI's role in the workplace is becoming increasingly significant.Organizations must address foundational knowledge management issues to leverage AI effectively.The conversation highlights the need for ongoing discussions about AI's impact on work and society.Useful linksAgentsIntroducing Knowledge Agent in SharePoint | Microsoft Community Hubhttps://demos.microsoft.com/microsoft/play/5140/knowledge-agents#/0/0 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Enabling human-agent teams | Microsoft 365 BlogMoving sales, service, and finance to the Frontier with Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft 365 BlogLicensinghttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/billing-licensingGPT 5https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/07/available-today-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot/Copilot Chat in Office Appshttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/copilot-chat-comes-to-the-microsoft-365-apps/4453349Viva Engage in Copilot Viva Engage Public Content is Now Available in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Community HubCopilot Mode in Edgehttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2025/08/07/release-notes-august-7-2025/Deal with US GovernmentAccelerating AI adoption for the US government - The Official Microsoft BlogCopilot Memoryhttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-copilot-memory-a-more-productive-and-personalized-ai-

Send us a textKevin McDonnell and Garry Trinder delve into the world of Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its implications for developers. We start with a starter overview of functionality of MCP and why it is important. However, we wanted to get beyond that initial view that is covered elsewhere and look at some of the challenges associated with using MCP and broader considerations that you need to be looking at. The conversation covers the importance of optimizing documentation for language models, governance in MCP usage, and strategies for getting started with MCP and then scaling. TakeawaysMCP is a universal approach to context in AI.MCP servers can execute actions beyond API calls.Optimizing documentation for LLMs is essential for effective AI integration.Trust and governance are critical in using MCP servers.MCP can significantly enhance productivity in software development.Building an MCP server can be straightforward and quick.MCP allows for local execution of actions, enhancing flexibility.The future of MCP involves more robust governance and control mechanisms.Organizations should develop a strategy for managing MCP servers.Experimentation with MCP can lead to unexpected benefits and insights.Useful linksIntroduction - Model Context ProtocolGetting started with Local MCP Servers on Claude Desktop | Anthropic Help Center and For Claude Desktop Users – Model Context Protocol （MCP）Use MCP servers in VS Code Community built Graph MCP Server - GitHub - merill/lokka: MCP (Model Context Protocol) for Microsoft 365. Azure AI Search:Full text search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft LearnVector search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft LearnHybrid search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft LearnMCP for beginners course - GitHub - microsoft/mcp-for-beginnersMCP Dev Days 29th/30th July (and available on demand after) - MCP Dev Days | Microsoft ReactorMicrosoft MCP Lab - GitHub - microsoft/mcsmcp: Lab for creating an MCP Server and using it in Microsoft Copilot Studio.Microsoft's MCP Server collection - GitHub - microsoft/mcp: Catalog of official Microsoft MCP (Model Context Protocol) server implementations for AI-powered data access and tool integrationCLI for m365 MCP server - GitHub - pnp/cli-microsoft365-mcp-server: Manage Microsoft 365 using MCP serverGitHub - dotnet/dev-proxy: Simulate API failures, throttling, and chaos — all from your command line.