Microsoft Scout: the Autonomous AI Agent for Microsoft 365

At the annual Microsoft Build conference, Microsoft unveiled Scout, an autonomous artificial intelligence agent integrated into Microsoft 365 applications. Built on the open-source framework OpenClaw, Scout is designed to schedule meetings, coordinate tasks, and generate documents, while keeping users informed about the progress of their projects.

A New Generation of AI Agents

Scout introduces a new category of agents, called Autopilots, which operate autonomously with their own identity. Unlike Microsoft Copilot, which requires occasional prompts, these agents remain active in the background and take proactive actions within applications and systems, within the limits of permissions granted by the user or the organization.

Hosted in the cloud but operating on desktop or web, Scout connects to services such as Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint. This allows it to access emails, calendars, contacts, and discussion threads to schedule meetings across different time zones, identify blocking topics in Teams threads, and generate preparation documents.

Continuous Learning and Enhanced Security

Scout employs a continuous learning mechanism called Work IQ, which enables it to refine its understanding of each user's priorities and work habits. This allows it to become more relevant and improve its efficiency over time.

In terms of security, Scout operates under a dedicated Entra identity, ensuring traceability of actions taken. Microsoft assures that users can know precisely what actions have been undertaken on their behalf and that data privacy is maintained.

Availability and Gradual Rollout

Currently, Scout is available in preview through Microsoft's Frontier program, which offers early access to experimental features. Over 3,000 Microsoft employees are already using Scout internally for tasks such as scheduling meetings, managing recurring tasks, and filling out forms.

To access this preview version, users must sign up for the Frontier program, configure an Intune policy, and have a GitHub Copilot license to download and install the desktop application. A broader rollout of Scout is expected in the coming months.