Microsoft unveils AI-driven innovations for OneDrive users

Microsoft Unveils AI-Driven Innovations for OneDrive Users

Microsoft has announced a new suite of artificial intelligence innovations for its OneDrive platform, aiming to enhance user productivity both in professional settings and at home. The updates come as part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to integrate AI technologies into its cloud storage services, providing tools that cater to a wide array of users, from IT professionals to everyday consumers.

Introduction of Copilot Agents

A notable addition is the introduction of Copilot Agents, a personalised AI assistant feature designed to automate and streamline tasks. Users can create custom-tailored assistants that utilise existing documents, files, and data, thereby enhancing project management and content creation. These Copilot Agents can be named and iconised, offering a bespoke experience where tasks such as summarising budget figures or providing event agendas are simplified. Once constructed, these agents can be easily shared among team members, enhancing collaborative efforts across platforms like OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint.

Enhanced OneDrive for Work Features

For professional users, OneDrive has been enhanced with several new capabilities. The revamped web experience enables users to manage files both online and offline efficiently. A newly designed search function, with advanced filter options, ensures more precise results, with the full rollout expected by the end of the year. Additionally, the introduction of coloured folder support in Windows File Explorer offers improved file organisation. The document library has also been updated for greater speed and flexibility, simplifying the creation of customised views and data filtering processes. Furthermore, the upgrade includes improved sharing functionalities, document collaboration insights, and security features like link expiration dates.

Advancements of Copilot in OneDrive

Copilot functionality has been expanded within OneDrive, now accessible to all commercial customers. This includes capabilities like rapid file summarisation, easy file comparison, and direct file-based answers. Microsoft has also announced future features such as meeting summaries, which will include detailed highlights and actionable insights set to be available next year. Users will also have the capacity to convert Word documents into PowerPoint presentations, enhancing document versatility.

Updates to the OneDrive Mobile App

On the mobile front, the OneDrive app has introduced a “photos-first” interface aimed at improving photo navigation and management. Android users will have immediate access to the updated user experience, while iOS users can expect the update in November. Enhanced search functionality allows users to employ natural language queries, such as “Sophia and her dog on a boat”, with the rollout beginning for Microsoft 365 customers. The AI-driven features will allow more event-type classifications and easier full-resolution photo sharing through popular messaging apps, with full availability expected by the summer of 2025.

Security Improvements and Future Prospects

Security enhancements in OneDrive include an AI-powered site policy comparison report and the integration of features such as Microsoft Graph Data Connect and Restricted Content Discoverability. These updates aim to maintain data integrity across organisational platforms.

Looking ahead, Microsoft teased additional features slated for OneDrive, including advanced AI-powered photo management and integration with Microsoft Designer for seamless editing. Personalised file and photo views will provide automatic grouping based on themes. Copilot’s expansion into other platforms like SharePoint, Windows File Explorer, and macOS Finder promises to bring features like Q&A, catch-up functions, and file summarisation across multiple systems.

Earlier this year, OneDrive received significant offline capabilities to enhance productivity, and Microsoft launched Copilot for Finance, preceding the current Copilot in OneDrive rollout.

Through these enhancements, Microsoft continues to assert its commitment to leveraging AI technology to improve user experience and efficiency across its products.

Source: Noah Wire Services