Microsoft announced the release of the Copilot AI chatbot, a new tool specifically designed for finance professionals working with Excel and Outlook. 

The objective of Copilot AI is to transform the way financial teams work by incorporating generative AI capabilities into routine operations, optimising workflows, and raising overall productivity. According to Microsoft, finance professionals will be freed from the routine parts of their jobs by the integration of Copilot AI into Excel and Outlook, freeing up time for more strategic and meaningful work. 

In Excel, the AI chatbot facilitates complex financial analyses, such as variance analysis, and assists in the reconciliation of vast datasets, turning time-consuming tasks into swift operations. Outlook users should experience improved workflow efficiency with automated email management for financial operations. The AI chatbot can prioritise, summarise, and recommend the next steps for financial transactions and correspondence. 

A standout feature of the Copilot AI is its ability to integrate with essential business software systems, including SAP and Microsoft Dynamics 365. This capability ensures that the AI chatbot can access and analyse a wide range of financial data and offer precise, perceptive, and contextually relevant support. 

Dentsu, the giant of Japanese advertising, was one of the first companies to deploy finance-focused Copilot AI.

Microsoft sees Copilot AI as a tool that can be used by any department within an organisation, extending its benefits beyond finance. Microsoft's corporate vice president, Charles Lamanna, highlights the company's goal to integrate AI capabilities into every department, emphasising that the chatbot will make the workplace more productive and empowered. The finance-focused Copilot AI represents just the initial step in this vision.