Microsoft is enhancing its AI chatbot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, with new deep research capabilities, introducing two specialized AI-powered tools: Researcher and Analyst.
With the rise of reasoning AI models—designed to analyze information critically and fact-check autonomously—several tech giants, including OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google (Gemini), and xAI (Grok), have introduced similar capabilities. Microsoft’s latest AI tools aim to offer a unique approach by integrating deep search capabilities and structured reasoning into enterprise workflows.
Researcher, built with OpenAI’s deep research model, combines AI-powered search and orchestration to assist users in tasks such as developing go-to-market strategies and creating client reports.
On the other hand, Analyst leverages OpenAI’s o3-mini reasoning model, designed for advanced data analysis. It refines responses iteratively, ensuring more accurate results. Additionally, it can execute Python scripts, allowing users to tackle complex data queries while making the AI’s reasoning process visible for review.
One standout feature of Microsoft’s deep research tools is their ability to pull insights from both the internet and enterprise data sources. Researcher can connect to third-party applications such as Confluence, ServiceNow, and Salesforce, enabling businesses to leverage their internal knowledge base alongside external information.
Like all AI models, Researcher and Analyst face the challenge of minimizing hallucinations—errors where AI misinterprets data or cites incorrect sources. Microsoft acknowledges this and continues refining its models to improve accuracy and reliability.
Microsoft is rolling out these features through its new Frontier program, granting Microsoft 365 Copilot customers early access to experimental Copilot capabilities. Researcher and Analyst will be available to Frontier users starting in April.
