Summary
You've learned how to work more effectively with AI by understanding agents and crafting better prompts.
Copilot Agents give you specialized AI assistance for specific tasks. Prebuilt agents like Researcher and Analyst handle common needs—gathering information, analyzing data, and generating insights. When your workflow demands something more tailored, you can create custom agents by defining their purpose, attaching knowledge sources, and configuring capabilities like Code Interpreter or Image Creator. Once configured, you can share agents across your organization to standardize how teams use AI.
Prompts drive the quality of Copilot's responses. By including context, goals, sources, and expectations in your prompts, you help Copilot understand exactly what you need. References like "/" for a specific file or location, "#" to point to a topic, project, or meeting, and "@" to mention people make your prompts more precise. Voice features—dictation, read aloud, and voice chat—give you hands-free options for accessibility and multitasking.
The combination of well-designed agents and intentional prompts transforms Copilot from a helpful tool into a strategic workflow partner. As you apply these skills, you'll spend less time on routine tasks and more time on work that requires your expertise and judgment.