Everyday AI Podcast – Ep 741: Microsoft Copilot Tasks: Hands on with the Powerful AI Platform No One’s Talking About

Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Jordan Wilson

Episode Overview

This episode highlights Microsoft Copilot Tasks, a free and surprisingly robust agentic AI feature in Microsoft Copilot Online. Jordan Wilson explores its hands-on capabilities and explains why, despite Microsoft’s low-key rollout and limited coverage, Copilot Tasks is a powerful contender in the agentic AI space. The episode offers a deep dive into how Copilot Tasks works, practical demonstration with real prompts, and three compelling reasons for everyone to try it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Microsoft Copilot Tasks?

[00:16 – 04:50]

• Copilot Tasks allows users to describe a goal in plain language, and then Copilot plans and executes the necessary steps.
• Currently available only on Microsoft Copilot Online (not the enterprise 365 desktop version), but free and accessible.
• Unlike pure chatbots or static AI tools, Copilot Tasks can take recurring actions, interact across platforms, and generate documents.
• Jordan describes it as “a simpler alternative to a lot of the very popular and trending AI product categories like Cloud, Cowork, Perplexity Computer, and even an open Claw.” (00:56)

2. Initial Impressions and Unique Positioning

[04:50 – 07:30]

• The product is largely ignored in the AI discourse, possibly due to its understated rollout.
• “This is their first free agentic product that anyone can go use, yet no one's using it... I don't know how long this is going to be free.” (05:48)

3. Live Walkthrough: Interface & Starting a Task

[07:30 – 19:25]

• Jordan initiates a research task for competitive analysis as a real-world example (building a competitive analysis presentation using Copilot Tasks).
• Prompt includes competitor research, Google Trends, search volumes, reviews, ICPs, and presentation creation, all in one natural language instruction.
• He emphasizes adaptability for any user’s context: “Take a look at what I’m doing here and apply it to your own situation. But I think this is a great use case, right?” (09:45)
• Contextualizes the time-saving: “Without AI, my gosh, you know, five years ago this would have taken easily… 40 to 50 hours.” (11:17)

4. Microsoft’s Official Use Cases & Capabilities

[13:08 – 16:40]

• Recurring tasks: schedule briefings, filter emails, manage appointments, summarize meetings.
• Document generation: presentations, spreadsheets, and text documents.
• Web interactions: “It can agentically click around websites and user interfaces.”
• Control features: Copilot asks for user consent prior to major actions (e.g., spending money, sending messages).
• “They're branding it as not autopilot, it's a copilot working with you, giving you control of the final decision.” (15:52)

5. Hands-On Exploration: Interface, Features, and Modes

[19:25 – 28:55]

• Interface highlights:
  • Clean design; multiple modes (Auto, Researcher, Analyst).
  • Example prompts for productivity, money, home, social, and career tasks.
• Settings/connectors:
  • Read-only integration with Gmail, Google Calendar, OneDrive, Outlook, Google Contacts.
  • Can text Copilot directly to initiate tasks—“This is one of the big reasons why I think platforms like OpenClaw and Computer have gotten really popular.” (24:10)

6. Deep Dive: Document & Presentation Creation

[28:55 – 34:26]

• Generated slides are visually appealing and fully editable.
• Conversational editing for AI-created presentations and documents.
• “Visually, how is this slide so good? ... this looks better than what I probably would have gotten out of PowerPoint if I was using Copilot.” (30:58)
• Features like AI-powered slide polish, edit-by-click, color adjustments using conversational commands.
• Example: “Turn the Google AI Studio line green and the lovable line yellow.” (33:18)

7. Additional Examples: Scheduling, Email Drafting, and Spreadsheets

[34:26 – 36:30]

• Scheduled daily tasks, such as “recap my most important emails,” auto-improve prompts for efficiency and relevance.
• Document creation with sources and references.
• Direct creation of research presentations and email drafts.
• “I just dictated this ... can you go to my website ... and do a quick recap ... then can you email that presentation…” (35:55)

8. Results Review: Live Task Output Quality

[36:30 – 38:18]

• Copilot Tasks compiles comprehensive, well-structured outputs: competitive analyses with executive summaries, comparison matrices, ICP profiles, review breakdowns, and market traction visualizations.
• “Very impressive... I think we have a, like a low key powerhouse that's free right now.” (38:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the AI landscape:
  "Maybe it's because of the name that it's not getting a lot of attention because it can do a lot more than tasks." (00:24, Jordan)

• On speed & capability:
  “Creating a full presentation, this is a lot of work. We're going to let Copilot Tasks kind of cook…” (11:07, Jordan)

• On Microsoft’s value proposition:
  “They say Copilot Tasks is a to-do list that does itself. You describe what you need in natural language. Copilot plans and goes to work.” (15:21, quoting Microsoft)

• On live editing:
  “Conversational editing, Right? So not only can you, you know, kind of create and do your tasks with natural language, you don't have to be an engineer… You have to be a smart expert driving the loop.” (33:53, Jordan)

• On why it outperforms expectations:
  “Like how’s this brand new technology outshining its big brother key partner?” (34:04, Jordan)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & big picture – 00:16–04:50
• Spotlight on Copilot Tasks’ low profile – 04:50–07:30
• Live task creation (competitive analysis) – 07:30–19:25
• Copilot’s core use cases/official description – 13:08–16:40
• Interface walkthrough & prompt examples – 19:25–28:55
• Document and presentation demo – 28:55–34:26
• Task scheduling, email, spreadsheet, texting – 34:26–36:30
• Review of sample outputs – 36:30–38:18

Three Reasons to Use Microsoft Copilot Tasks (According to Jordan)

[38:18–38:41]

1. It's Easier (and Free):

   • Cheaper and easier than competitors like OpenClaw, Claude Cowork, and Perplexity Computer.
   • “It's easier and cheaper. Like, like I'm like, I don't know how this product exists right now.”

2. You Can Text Copilot:

   • Use familiar interfaces—just send tasks via text for instant action and updates.

3. Powerful Agentic AI + Document Creation + Integration:

   • Combines a strong large language model, a computer-using agent, and robust document creation in one platform.
   • “It brings all things together. It's in beta, it's very good…”

Final Thoughts

• Copilot Tasks stands out as a potentially game-changing, but under-discussed, agentic AI tool made accessible for all users.
• Despite being in beta and having some limitations (e.g., mainly read-only integration, manual email sending), it surpasses expectations, especially for business and productivity tasks.
• Jordan encourages listeners to try it now, while it remains free and available, and hints at further updates as the product matures.

For visuals, specific demos and video walkthroughs, visit your everydayai.com.