Microsoft is testing ways to integrate OpenClaw-like functionality into its existing Microsoft 365 Copilot tool. The new features, which the company confirmed The Informationit will be aimed at enterprise customers, with better security controls than the notoriously dangerous open-source agent OpenClaw.
OpenClaw is a tool that runs locally on a user’s computer and can create agents to perform tasks on the person’s behalf. If Microsoft does come up with its own version of a Claw — that is, an agent that runs locally — the effort will join a number of other agent tools the company has announced in recent months.
In March, for example, Microsoft announced Copilot Coworkwhich is designed to perform actions on Microsoft 365 apps, not just provide search results or chat in a separate task pane. Cowork is powered by its own “Work IQ” technology.a layer of intelligence that tries to personalize Cowork for the user in Microsoft 365 apps.
Microsoft also tapped Anthropic’s Claude to bolster Cowork after partnering with the AI lab late last year. Microsoft added Claude as an option available for Cowork. (While OpenClaw can work with many models, Claude remains the model of choice for many users of the open source project.) However, Cowork does not run on local hardware. running in the cloud.
In February, Microsoft too introduced Copilot Tasksanother agent designed to complete tasks, which was released at the time in preview. The marketing materials made this agent seem like it was aimed more at buyers than businesses, with tasks they should be allowed to handle ranging from organizing email (a Microsoft 365-like task) to organizing travel and meetings (tasks outside of Microsoft’s Office suite of applications). This, however, also runs in the cloud.
It’s not yet clear if this Claw would be native or if it would simply adopt some of the other features that OpenClaw claims to love. Microsoft told The Information that one of the main features of the agent is that it would essentially be an always-on version of 365 Copilot, able to take action at any time. The idea is an agent that can complete multi-step tasks over long periods.
While the OpenClaw open source project can run on Windows machines, the Mac Mini has been the popular platform for OpenClaw users. So much so that small, affordable, cube-shaped Mac Mini desktops suddenly sold like hotcakes. So, beyond securityMicrosoft may have plenty of motivation for wanting its own version.
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The company is expected to show off this new Claw (or an upgraded version of one of its existing Claw-like tools) at the Microsoft Build conference in June, The Verge reports.
We asked Microsoft how the new Claw agent stacks up against these other agents, and we’ll update the story when we get feedback.
