He further described these new launches as the next frontier of Copilot — software that does not just assist with work, but can take ownership of and complete entire tasks that unfold over hours or even days.
One of the technologies powering these new Copilot experiences is Project Opal. Here’s what you need to know about it.
repetitive, manual tasks in Microsoft 365, Project Opal is a new AI-powered capability that executes task-based work inside a secure, observable environment controlled by the user.
Examples of potential use cases include compliance audits, employee onboarding and equipment ordering — tasks that are important but often repetitive, time-consuming and well suited to the type of work Project Opal is designed to handle.
Project Opal’s advanced capabilities
Task-first working experience: Project Opal has been designed to put tasks front and centre, allowing users to kick off new jobs, rerun previous ones or select from curated options. The reasoning model behind Opal turns a user's request into a dynamic plan, sequences the appropriate tools and adapts its approach mid-flow to complete the task.
repetitive, manual tasks in Microsoft 365, Project Opal is a new AI-powered capability that executes task-based work inside a secure, observable environment controlled by the user.
Examples of potential use cases include compliance audits, employee onboarding and equipment ordering — tasks that are important but often repetitive, time-consuming and well suited to the type of work Project Opal is designed to handl
Designed to tackle repetitive, manual tasks in Microsoft 365, Project Opal is a new AI-powered capability that executes task-based work inside a secure, observable environment controlled by the user.
Examples of potential use cases include compliance audits, employee onboarding and equipment ordering — tasks that are important but often repetitive, time-consuming and well suited to the type of work Project Opal is designed to handle
Real-time observability: Users can watch Project Opal work in real time or review its activity later. The job view includes a detailed plan and a live computer view, with the ability to replay everything that happened while Project Opal was working on a task.
Greater control: If Opal encounters a step that requires user input, it flags it in the activity timeline or through a browser notification, allowing the user to step in and handle the next move. Project Opal is opt-in and governed by granular admin controls, with organizations able to determine exactly what the system can access through allow lists and scenario starters.
Admin controls and safety
Project Opal is designed with enterprise-grade security and user oversight. Each task runs on a dedicated, secure Windows 365 Cloud PC, while a separate supervisor monitors the AI’s actions, enforces guardrails and requests human input when necessary. Users can pause tasks or take control of the Cloud PC at any time, while admins can restrict access to approved websites through an allow list.
Project Opal is opt-in and managed through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Admins can configure Cloud PC pools, as per their use.
Project Opal is currently available through Microsoft’s Frontier program for Microsoft 365 Copilot customers as an early-access offering that is expected to evolve substantially as Microsoft gathers user feedback