Microsoft Tests OpenClaw-Inspired Features to Make 365 Copilot Always-On AI Agent

Earlier this year, OpenClaw took the Internet by storm, and now every other AI company is trying to develop features it helped popularize. Microsoft appears to be one of them, with reports now suggesting the company is exploring a new direction for 365 Copilot, using OpenClaw-style features to expand its AI assistant.

The news comes via The Information, which suggests that with this move, Microsoft is looking to push Copilot toward a more autonomous model that can run continuously in the background and handle tasks on behalf of users (via The Verge).

Microsoft looks to push Copilot toward always-on AI agents

The report claims that Microsoft wants 365 Copilot to eventually operate as an “always-on” assistant. In other words, with the planned integration, 365 Copilot will reportedly be capable of monitoring workflows and completing tasks without constant prompts. This includes automating tasks like checking Outlook inboxes, tracking calendar events, and more.

Speaking with the news outlet, Omar Shahine, Microsoft’s corporate vice president, said the company is “exploring the potential of technologies like OpenClaw in an enterprise context.” To catch you up, Shahine recently hinted at a focus on developing OpenClaw and advancing personal AI agents within Microsoft 365. For those unaware, OpenClaw is an open-source platform that allows users to build AI agents that run locally on devices. However, it has already raised security concerns as adoption grows.

The report further notes Microsoft is opting for “safer” versions of the concept, likely with robust controls and enterprise-focused safeguards. Besides general automation, Microsoft is also reportedly experimenting with role-specific agents for areas like marketing, sales, and accounting.

It’s worth noting that these agents would likely be tightly limited in scope, with restricted permissions designed to keep them isolated from unrelated business systems. The idea appears to be reducing risk while still allowing Copilot to act more independently inside structured workflows, especially in large organizations where data access needs better control.

Build conference could preview what’s next

The Information further notes that Microsoft could showcase early versions of these features at its Build conference, which kicks off on June 2nd. If Microsoft manages to execute these changes without major hiccups, Copilot could move beyond a reactive assistant and start behaving more like a persistent digital operator inside Microsoft 365.