In March of this year, Microsoft first launched Copilot Cowork in Research Preview, bringing a completely new way to use AI assistants. Unlike traditional conversational interactions, Cowork functions more like a background task agent that can independently execute tasks. Users can hand off work items to it, and the AI will continue running in the cloud, unaffected even when the computer is shut down or offline. At the same time, Cowork also supports multi-task parallelism, allowing users to view the progress, status, and output of each task through a brand new control panel. This capability was initially limited to Research Preview, and Microsoft later expanded it to the Frontier program for Microsoft 365 customers, enabling more enterprises to begin testing this new mode of AI-powered work.
Microsoft brings Copilot Cowork to iOS and Android, adding new features and plugins
In the latest update,Microsoft announcedBringing three major enhancements to Copilot Cowork: mobile support, reusable skills, and deeper ecosystem integration. At the core of these updates is a goal to make Cowork a true AI agent that operates continuously within your daily workflow, rather than just a tool for use at a desk.
First, there’s mobile support. Since Cowork operates entirely in the cloud, users theoretically don’t need to keep their devices on for tasks to continue running. This update further extends this flexibility to mobile scenarios. Users can now launch Cowork on iOS or Android devices, whether during their commute, between meetings, or away from their desks, to assign tasks, check progress, or add new work items. This transforms Cowork from a “desktop tool” into a true “on-the-go AI work agent.”
The second update is Cowork Skills, a set of reusable instruction templates used to define the structure, tone, process, or output format that Cowork should follow when executing tasks. For workflows that need to be repeated, such as writing meeting summaries, organizing research materials, or generating documents or presentations in fixed formats, Skills can significantly reduce the time spent re-describing requirements each time. Users can create Skills themselves, or enterprises can define them centrally to ensure teams maintain consistent standards when producing content.
To lower the barrier to entry, Microsoft has also added several built-in Skills to Microsoft 365, covering common scenarios like document drafting, meeting coordination, and research gathering. For more complex or proprietary workflows, enterprises can create custom Skills, making Cowork part of their internal process automation.
The third update involves expansion in plugins and ecosystem integration. Cowork not only operates within Microsoft 365, but Microsoft is also gradually enabling it to execute tasks across systems. Fabric IQ will add native integration with Power BI, allowing Cowork to assist with data analysis and reporting tasks; at the same time, it will also connect more deeply with Dynamics 365 in areas such as sales, customer service, and ERP, enabling AI to directly participate in core business processes.
In the coming weeks, Microsoft will also launch several third-party service connectors, including the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Miro, monday.com, and S&P Global Energy. These connectors will enable Cowork to access data across platforms, execute tasks, or trigger workflows, further expanding its utility in enterprise environments. Businesses can also build custom plugins for their own systems, allowing Cowork to understand and operate internal tools.
Currently, Microsoft 365 customers participating in the Microsoft Frontier program can already try out Copilot Cowork, and the aforementioned new features are being rolled out gradually. With the expansion of mobile support, the skills system, and the plugin ecosystem, Cowork is evolving from an AI assistant into a cloud agent capable of truly performing work on behalf of humans, and is gradually integrating into enterprise daily workflows.
Source: KOCPC Chinese