The Copilot Connection

Garry Trinder, a Microsoft developer advocate for Microsoft 365 Copilot, explains coding agents and how they reshape development workflows. Short takes cover agent interfaces, context and memory, spec-driven vs exploratory approaches, tooling and skills for repeatable automation, effects on junior developers, personality in agents, and security and ethical guardrails.

Send us a textHappy new year to you all! In this episode, Zoe and Kevin take a short look at what happened with Copilot and with themselves in 2025, a short view on what they think and hope will happen with Copilot and AI in 2026 but focus most of the time on digging into the latest Microsoft Future of Work report that their science team has been making for the last 5 years. They explore themes such as AI judgment, collaborative AI, and the implications of inequality in the workplace amongst other things.TakeawaysAgent 365 has the potential to greatly impact organizational efficiency and control.Simplification in Copilot Studio and Chat enhances user experience and accessibility.Agents play a crucial role in simplifying complex AI functionalities.Fireside chats and workshops have been key highlights in community engagement.Recognition through awards fosters motivation and visibility in the tech community.The Future of Work report provides valuable insights into AI's impact on labor markets.AI judgment and perception can affect workplace dynamics and relationships.Collaborative AI is essential for enhancing teamwork and productivity.Key linksFuture of work reportTailwind newsSalesforce refocussing rolesJamie Teevan's keynote at ESPC

In this engaging discussion, Garry Trinder, a Cloud developer advocate at Microsoft, dives into the latest from the Ignite Conference. He shares insights on the renaming of Azure AI Foundry to Microsoft Foundry, highlighting its broad platform vision. Garry explores new features like the Foundry portal’s visual workflow designer and the streamlined publishing to Teams. They also touch on the integration of Claude models and emphasize the importance of experimenting with language models while maintaining responsible AI practices. A must-listen for tech enthusiasts!

After the Ignite conference, the hosts dive into the latest on Microsoft Agent 365 and its management features. They discuss the challenges and adaptations presenters faced due to rapid announcements. The keynote reflections spark debate on storytelling and the absence of key figures. Agent integrations in Office are explored, along with exciting updates on Work IQ and voice interactions in the Copilot app. They also touch on community sessions, upcoming development topics, and the new Copilot Business SKU, rounding off a vibrant discussion on the future of AI tools.

Ignite is just around the corner, and the hosts dive into exciting sessions to watch. They highlight themes like Copilot, agents, and the blend of low-code and pro-code approaches. Accessibility and responsible AI take center stage, while innovative topics like security governance and the AI agent factory are discussed. Zoe and Kevin also explore the differences in experiencing Ignite remotely versus in person, and they tease must-see sessions that promise inspiration and valuable insights.

Send us a textIt has been a little while since the last episode with Zoe and Kevin so they share some of their own news on why things have been a little quieter over the summer and then discuss the latest updates and news from Microsoft 365 Copilot. We recap recent events, including the Collab Summit North America, Experts Live UK conference, and share our upcoming events. On the news side we delve into significant announcements from lasast couple of months, including the introduction of the Knowledge Agent to "Frontier Firms", licensing changes, and the implications of GPT-5. Plus, Zoe pulls off some awesome dance moves without even realising it.AI powered TakeawaysThe Knowledge Agent aims to enhance knowledge management within organizations.Licensing changes are designed to encourage broader adoption of Copilot features.AI's role in the workplace is becoming increasingly significant.Organizations must address foundational knowledge management issues to leverage AI effectively.The conversation highlights the need for ongoing discussions about AI's impact on work and society.Useful linksAgentsIntroducing Knowledge Agent in SharePoint | Microsoft Community Hubhttps://demos.microsoft.com/microsoft/play/5140/knowledge-agents#/0/0 Microsoft 365 Copilot: Enabling human-agent teams | Microsoft 365 BlogMoving sales, service, and finance to the Frontier with Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft 365 BlogLicensinghttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot-studio/billing-licensingGPT 5https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/07/available-today-gpt-5-in-microsoft-365-copilot/Copilot Chat in Office Appshttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/copilot-chat-comes-to-the-microsoft-365-apps/4453349Viva Engage in Copilot Viva Engage Public Content is Now Available in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft Community HubCopilot Mode in Edgehttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/blog/2025/08/07/release-notes-august-7-2025/Deal with US GovernmentAccelerating AI adoption for the US government - The Official Microsoft BlogCopilot Memoryhttps://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-copilot-memory-a-more-productive-and-personalized-ai-

In this discussion, Garry Trinder, a Developer Advocate at Microsoft, dives into the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its game-changing potential for developers. He highlights the challenges of integrating MCP, from enhancing documentation to establishing governance. Trinder stresses the importance of crafting user-friendly materials and the adaptability of MCP servers for efficient software development. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for getting started with MCP while unlocking significant productivity gains in AI applications.

Garry Trinder, a Developer Advocate at Microsoft, dives into Copilot extensibility and its potential. He discusses why extending Copilot is crucial for tailored solutions, outlining various methods for enhancement, whether for end users or specialists. The importance of personalizing AI tools and integrating external knowledge sources for improved productivity is emphasized. Trinder also highlights the delicate balance between deterministic and non-deterministic approaches in AI applications, making a case for responsible AI practices and continuous adaptation in an evolving landscape.

Dive into the latest discussions around the fascinating collapse of Builder.ai and Microsoft's leadership shake-up affecting AI strategy. The hosts explore unique strategies for presenting at upcoming tech conferences and share their personal experiences from recent events. They also probe into the ethical implications of AI practices, emphasizing the need for investor scrutiny. With an exciting announcement about a Fireside Chat featuring a Microsoft speaker, there's plenty of engaging content on the evolution of AI and community networking opportunities.

Discover the latest from the Microsoft Copilot ecosystem, including game-changing M365 Copilot tuning and the role of notebooks in boosting productivity. The conversation takes a creative turn at the Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing AI in gardening. Explore how AI Foundry enhances integration and efficiency, plus insights on ethical concerns in tech. The hosts tackle fun anecdotes about AI assistants and the innovative applications shaping our digital world. Join the discussion on the importance of community in advancing AI tools!