Key takeaways_

• Microsoft Copilot Studio is a low-code platform for building custom Copilot experiences, including AI-powered chatbots and task automation agents.
• It lets you connect to data sources, integrate workflows and create tailored solutions that go beyond standard Copilot capabilities.
• Use Copilot Studio to design bots for customer service, automate internal processes and deliver personalised AI assistance across your organisation.

Since AI exploded onto the scene, it has been proven to bring substantial benefits for business, including improved productivity, reduced costs and advanced automation.

Despite this, many businesses have failed to get properly started with AI, with issues around understanding AI, identifying the best uses and defining the strategy.

Another core obstacle is the fact that many AI tools are one size fits all. This doesn’t account for the different needs and risks facing businesses, including protecting sensitive data.

But imagine your own AI assistant that’s already tailored to your business. It knows how to automate your process, according to your required steps and objective. It utilises and protects your organisational data. Most importantly, it delivers quick value.

Microsoft Copilot Studio is the platform for businesses to create bespoke AI assistants and agents. We delve into Copilot Studio’s capabilities in this blog.

What is Copilot Studio?

Microsoft Copilot Studio is a low-code platform for creating and managing custom copilots and agents. It enables users to design intelligent, connected AI assistants for employees and customers. These copilots are inherently tailored to your business needs and data.

Copilot Studio uses leading conversational AI technologies, working alongside Azure AI Studio and other apps. It leverages a centralised admin centre, giving you one place to view analytics and optimise copilots.

Key features of Copilot Studio_

Within Copilot Studio, you can:

• Create copilots from scratch, like chatbots with internal knowledge and data
• Customise Copilot for Microsoft 365 to better automate internal processes
• Build multi-agent workflows where different copilots collaborate to complete complex tasks
• Enable Agent Mode, allowing copilots to act autonomously and perform multi-step actions
• Use Computer Use (Preview) so agents can interact with software interfaces—even legacy apps—without APIs
• Integrate GPT-5.1 for advanced reasoning and adaptive responses
• Add voice and multimodal capabilities, letting copilots process images and respond to voice commands

Copilot Studio also employs the highest standards of governance, trust and data controls, as per Microsoft’s policy of responsible AI. This is coupled with a user-friendly interface, allowing anyone to create their own AI assistants.

Copilot benefits_

• Empower staff: By seamlessly creating and deploying copilots within Copilot Studio, you can empower your employees with advanced capabilities. By automating menial work, you can drive their productivity and give them time to focus on value-adding tasks.
• Tailored solutions: Custom copilots allow you to design AI that supports specific groups and departments, from customers to employees and partners. You can build copilots that assist different teams across your business, enabling them to benefit from AI experiences and drive your overall performance.
• Multichannel reach: Copilots built in Copilot Studio can reach users on multiple channels including the likes of Microsoft Teams, internal websites, mobile apps and social channels. This improves accessibility.
• Control over conversational flow: You have the flexibility to design specific conversational flows for critical topics, aligned to your internal processes. For instance, you can handle account management, authentication and interactions with order management systems following a specific sequence of steps.

Who can create with Copilot Studio?

Anyone can create custom copilots with Copilot Studio. This includes:

• Non-technical users, thanks to the low-code interface and drag-and-drop functionality. They can start with simple examples, like small chatbots and explore advanced features as their confidence grows.
• Developers and IT professionals. Even those comfortable with coding can benefit from Copilot Studio. It offers the flexibility to design intricate conversational flows, integrate APIs and handle complex logic within your copilots for better experiences.

Better yet, users across your business can benefit from custom copilots to streamline their processes, regardless of their department or function.

Custom copilot examples_

Wondering what a custom copilot example could do for your business? Here are some quick examples of what different teams can create in Copilot Studio:

1. Customer service chatbot_

Using Copilot Studio, you can develop AI-powered chatbots to handle customer enquiries. These chatbots can be programmed to answer frequently asked questions, provide product information and even escalate complex issues to human representatives.

For example, a retail company could create a chatbot that assists customers with product queries or order tracking. It frees up time from customer service agents, while enabling customers to get answers fast.

2. HR chatbot_

Another example of a custom chatbot is one to answer HR queries. Using internal data, such as company benefits and policy information, employees can ask questions. They can then get tailored answers, including being directed to internal forms and policies.

It saves employees time searching for the information they need while making sure key HR information is easily accessed.

3. Marketing copilot_

A common challenge for marketing teams is ensuring people using the right assets and terminology across the business. However, it’s possible to overcome this with a marketing copilot which directs people to what they need, such as document templates and logos.

You can also embed tone of voice and brand identity guidelines to educate users and ensure everyone is consistent.

4. Product knowledge bot_

Another common obstacle for businesses is ensuring everyone has up-to-date product knowledge. You can create a chatbot that offers this information, helping users – such as sales teams – to get accurate details.

Using the latest product documentation, you can drive knowledge across your business and allow people to have their questions answered.

These are just some examples of helpful copilots you can create in Copilot Studio – but the possibilities are endless!

5. Microsoft pre-built agents_

On top of these, Microsoft has a suite of pre-built agents you can deploy and customise from Copilot Studio. These include a Case Management Agent, Sales Order Agent and Website Q&A Agent.

These agents can help you automate processes across your business functions, saving time and boosting efficiency.

How do you build your own Copilot in Copilot Studio?

With Copilot Studio, creating custom AI assistants is easy. Here is how it works:

1. Pick your data_

To create a custom copilot, you must ground it in relevant data. This allows the AI to generate answers based on your internal information.

This data can come from various sources: local files, SharePoint sites, public websites or even your custom backends. The exact source will vary depending on the purpose of the copilot. For example, if it’s for product knowledge questions, you might use your public website’s product pages or technical documentation.

2. Design conversational flows_

Next, design the specific conversational flow you want your copilot to follow. You need to ensure it answers users thoroughly, so think about how they might ask questions or process information.

You have two options for your conversational flows, based on your preference:

• Visual authoring: Use a visual interface to map out the flow
• Natural language: Define the flow using natural language

3. Leverage generative AI_

Generative AI allows for new outputs based on your existing data. Any copilots created in Copilot Studio will use large language models to provide intelligent responses.

This means that as users interact with your copilots, they’ll receive clear responses that are tailored to their questions.

You can also create a conversational flow that follows a specific sequence of steps, which can help align the AI to your internal processes.

4. Deploy your Copilot_

Once you’ve finishing designing your copilot, you can deploy it to a test page. This allows you to test content changes in real-time.

If you’re happy with the performance, you can then push it live, whether that be on a website, in an app or within Microsoft teams.

5. Review and optimise_

After deploying a custom copilot, it’s crucial to regular track performance and optimise performance. Copilot Studio gives you a centralised view of analytics so you can gain insight.

With this, you can routinely analyse the performance of your custom copilot and fine-tune it as needed to provide better experiences.

How much does Copilot Studio cost?

Copilot is available as part of a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence, which is priced from £23.10 per user per month. On top of this, there are pay-as-you-go and pre-purchase plans available.

Top tips for getting started with Copilot Studio_

Want to get the most out of Microsoft Copilot Studio? Here are some practical tips to help you build smarter, more effective AI copilots:

1. Start small and scale_

Begin with one simple use case, like automating FAQs or onboarding, and prove value quickly. Once you see results, expand to more complex workflows.

2. Use prebuilt templates_

Copilot Studio offers ready-made templates for common scenarios. They save time and reduce complexity, especially if you’re new to building AI agents.

3. Connect to the right data_

Your copilot is only as good as the data it uses. Integrate secure connectors to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and other business apps for accurate, context-aware responses.

4. Enable advanced features_

Take advantage of new capabilities like:

• Agent Mode for autonomous, multi-step actions
• Computer Use (Preview) to automate tasks in apps without APIs
• Voice and multimodal support for richer interactions

5. Keep governance in mind_

Apply role-based access controls and monitor analytics in the admin centre. This ensures compliance and prevents unauthorised changes.

6. Test, learn and iterate_

Use analytics to track performance and refine conversational flows. Look for drop-off points and adjust responses to improve user experience.

7. Deploy across channels_

Publish your copilots to Teams, web, mobile, and even WhatsApp for maximum reach. Make sure the tone and branding align with your company voice.

Discover more about Copilot Studio_

Copilot Studio is a powerful platform, allowing you to access innovative AI, customised to your specific business needs and challenges. With user-friendly functionality, anyone can make and deploy AI assistants and agents.

However, it’s worth spending time understanding the capabilities of Copilot and Copilot Studio in more detail to identify use cases and maximise your investment. Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about Copilot Studio, alongside practical tips for getting started and unlocking value.