Embark on a journey into the realm of AI plugins through our dedicated blog series. As we delve into the intricacies of these intelligent add-ons, discover how they redefine the landscape of software development and digital experiences. From streamlining workflows to introducing advanced functionalities, these articles aim to illuminate the transformative impact of AI plugins across various industries. Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or simply curious about the latest innovations, join us in exploring the powerful synergy between artificial intelligence and the evolution of software enhancements.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Microsoft has kicked off its annual Build 2023 software developer’s conference with a plan to encourage developers to support a common platform for search and artificial intelligence (AI).
The two themes the software giant has focused on is the concept of plugins to integrate AI with third-party services and copilots, which aim to augment common tasks.
Microsoft regards the idea of a copilot as both a new approach to developing AI-powered software and a shift in the way software is built. It has now unveiled Copilot in Power BI and Copilot in Power Pages in preview. Copilot in Microsoft Fabric is expected to be available in preview soon, while Windows Copilot is due to be available in preview in June.
To help developers build their own copilots in next-generation AI applications, Microsoft has introduced a platform for plugins, which enables developers to support other software and services.
Microsoft said the shared plugin platform offers a single platform to enable developers to build plugins that work both in a consumer context and in business. Developers can use these plugins in their own AI-powered applications using application programming interfaces (APIs) from other software and services to retrieve real-time information, incorporate company and other business data, perform new types of computations, and safely take action on the user’s behalf.
Microsoft said plugins are the connection between copilots and the rest of the digital world. “You may look at Bing Chat and think this is some super-magical, complicated thing, but Microsoft is giving developers everything they need to get started to go build a copilot of their own,” said Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s chief technology officer. “I think over the coming years, this will become an expectation for how all software works.”
The platform supports ChatGPT, Bing, Dynamics 365 Copilot (in preview) and Microsoft 365 Copilot, which is currently in preview. Applications built on Azure OpenAI will support third-party plugins that are interoperable with the standard used on the Microsoft platform. According to Microsoft, this gives developers the ability to build user experiences that enable people to interact with the apps they build using natural language.
As part of this shared plugin platform, Microsoft internet search engine Bing is extending the plugins it can support. For instance, plugins for OpenTable and Wolfram Alpha have been announced. Microsoft said it also plans to have plugins for Expedia, Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, Redfin and Zillow, among many others, in the Bing ecosystem.
James Sanders, cloud and infrastructure principal analyst at CCS Insight, said: “Artificial intelligence is the throughline of Microsoft Build, with further Copilot functionality added across Microsoft’s product portfolio.
“While Microsoft benefits today from first-mover advantage for integrating AI features, the practical value is in business data already residing in Microsoft Graph – data from Office, OneDrive, Windows and Dynamics 365 – which informs the inferences and recommendations made by Copilot data for users in that organisation.”

What’s happening in the metaverse? More than you might think. Read about three areas for growth, the concept of spatial computing…
The job is as big and challenging as ever. In 2024, CIOs will be asked to find business value in GenAI, mitigate AI risks and …
A BPM approach to transformation enables companies to continuously improve and reinvent their business processes, injecting …
There were many zero-day vulnerabilities exploited in the wild in 2023. Here’s a look at 10 of the most notable and damaging …
Two attacks last month exposed the sensitive information of more than 3 million individuals as ransomware attacks continued to …
Our panel of experts picked the best free and paid online cybersecurity courses for working professionals looking to advance …
Fixed wireless access, increased bandwidth, faster cellular speeds and new technology enablement in vertical markets are just …
AI will become an integral technology in networks in the next few years. Find out what an automated Wi-Fi network can do for …
IP addresses and subnets are necessary for effective network communications. Learn how IP addresses and subnets work, and compare…
Quantum computing may be years away from practical enterprise applications, but it’s getting closer. We talked with IBM’s quantum…
Four common AI chips — CPU, GPU, FPGA and ASIC — are advancing with the current market for AI chip design. Read on to see what …
Before buying a server, it’s important to assess an SMB’s needs. Review these seven steps outlining the factors an organization …
Data governance software can help organizations manage governance programs. Here’s a look at the key features and capabilities of…
Numerous tools can be used to build and manage data catalogs. Here’s a look at the key features, capabilities and components of …
Numerous tools are available to use in big data applications. Here’s a look at 18 popular open source technologies, plus …
All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 – 2024, TechTarget

Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences
Cookie Preferences
Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

source