AI agents are one of the hottest topics in technology today. If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience but don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through Microsoft’s AI agent builder, Copilot Studio. By the end of this post, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to confidently set up your own AI agent and see real business applications in action.
Why AI Agents Matter
Before diving into the setup, let’s quickly revisit why AI agents are gaining traction. As discussed in previous posts, AI agents have the potential to displace traditional SaaS applications by shifting business logic into automated workflows powered by large language models (LLMs). Instead of manually interacting with multiple applications, users can rely on AI-driven orchestration to complete tasks seamlessly.
Real-World AI Agent Use Cases
In this guide, we’ll explore two real-life AI agents built using Microsoft Copilot Studio:
Loan Analyzer Agent – This AI agent evaluates loan applications by analyzing form submissions against internal company knowledge, determining approval or rejection, and sending automated email correspondence.
Application Access Evaluator – This AI agent integrates with Microsoft Teams and the Approvals app to facilitate third-party application access requests, notifying IT for provisioning if approved.
These use cases highlight how AI agents enhance efficiency by automating repetitive, time-consuming workflows.