Microsoft has been actively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into its Microsoft 365 Suite (formerly Office 365), enhancing productivity, collaboration, and automation for users. Here are the top five AI functions recently added to the Microsoft 365 suite:

1. Copilot in Microsoft 365
   • Description: Copilot is a groundbreaking AI integration within Microsoft 365 that functions across apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It acts as an interactive assistant that helps users create documents, emails, presentations, data analyses, and more by simply describing what they need in natural language.
   • https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/enterprise/copilot-for-microsoft-365
   • Capabilities:
     • In Word, Copilot can draft documents based on a brief description or a set of bullet points provided by the user.
     • In Excel, it can analyze data and create complex models or summaries.
     • In PowerPoint, Copilot helps design presentations by suggesting layouts, designs, and summarizing text into concise bullet points.
     • In Outlook, it can draft emails, summarize long email threads, and suggest replies based on the context of the conversation.
     • In Teams, it enhances meetings by providing real-time summaries, action items, and context from previous meetings.
2. Excel Formula Predictions
   • Description: This feature in Excel uses AI to predict the most likely formula based on the user’s data input patterns. It suggests formulas as soon as the user starts typing in a cell, significantly speeding up data processing tasks.
   • Capabilities:
     • Predictive typing for formulas helps users by automatically completing complex formulas based on data entry trends.
     • Offers formula examples to aid in learning new formula functionalities.
3. PowerPoint Designer
   • Description: Leveraging AI, PowerPoint Designer optimizes the creation of engaging and visually appealing presentations. It suggests design layouts, and formats based on the content provided in the slide, ensuring professional design aesthetics are maintained.
   • Capabilities:
     • Automatically suggests layouts, backgrounds, and style enhancements.
     • Recommends graphical enhancements and visual elements like icons, stock images, and charts that align with the presentation’s content.
4. Outlook Text Predictions
   • Description: Text predictions in Outlook utilize AI to predict words and phrases as the user types an email. This feature not only speeds up the typing process but also helps reduce typos and grammatical errors.
   • Capabilities:
     • Offers real-time writing suggestions.
     • Learns from individual usage patterns to personalize suggestions.
5. Microsoft Viva Insights
   • Description: Part of the broader Microsoft Viva suite, Insights is focused on improving workplace productivity and wellbeing. It uses AI to provide personalized and actionable insights about collaboration patterns and work habits that can lead to a better work-life balance.
   • https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/02/04/microsoft-viva-empowering-every-employee-for-the-new-digital-age/
   • Capabilities:
     • Gives recommendations for meeting prep, follow-ups, and focused work time.
     • Provides wellness tips like taking breaks and mindful disconnects to prevent burnout.
     • Offers analytics to help organizations improve work patterns and collaboration.

These features are part of Microsoft’s broader initiative to make AI an integral part of the workplace, ensuring that tasks are completed more efficiently and creatively while also fostering a healthier work environment. As AI technology evolves, we can expect Microsoft to introduce even more advanced AI features into the Microsoft 365 suite.