Microsoft is developing new features for its Copilot software inspired by OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent framework, as it looks to expand the capabilities of its workplace AI tools, Microsoft EVP Jay Parikh confirmed in an exclusive interaction with AIM at GitHub Constellation India 2026.
The planned features are expected to make Copilot more autonomous, allowing it to carry out multi-step tasks over extended periods with limited user input.
Microsoft is testing these capabilities within its Microsoft 365 Copilot suite rather than launching a separate product, The Information also reported.
Parikh said that Microsoft is building something similar to OpenClaw, indicating a rethink in how users interact with AI.
He said tools like OpenClaw can operate across platforms and remain continuously available. “It can be in WhatsApp and can do various things,” he said, adding that it can be personalised and that users can have fun with it, while it can also do real work depending on how it is configured.
He added that as part of this push, Microsoft has already introduced related tools such as Copilot Cowork and Copilot Tasks, which automate workflows such as email management, scheduling, and other office functions.
Parikh said Cowork allows users to assign complex and long-running tasks to AI agents.“You can give this agent harder, deeper and longer-running projects that it can go off and interface,” he added.
According to Parikh, the tool integrates with enterprise data sources. “It is able to access your knowledge at your company from your email to your messages to your documents, so it can help you actually sort out lots of different problems,” he explained.
He added that this reduces manual effort across workflows.
Microsoft is targeting enterprise customers and is building stronger security controls than those associated with OpenClaw, which typically runs locally and can be risky, raising concerns around untrusted code execution.
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