Microsoft is developing an always-on version of its AI assistant Copilot that can perform tasks autonomously, drawing inspiration from the OpenClaw platform. The company confirmed early experiments with OpenClaw to enable AI to take actions on users' behalf. Safety measures are a key focus amid concerns over the open-source tool's lack of safeguards.
Microsoft aims to revamp Copilot into an agentic AI capable of handling tasks like managing inboxes and calendars. According to a report from The Information, the tech giant is exploring technologies similar to OpenClaw, an open-source platform for AI agents that has gained popularity. Omar Shahine, Microsoft's corporate vice president, told The Information the company is interested in such capabilities, with sources noting efforts to enhance safety features absent in OpenClaw. Nvidia's NemoClaw and Anthropic's task-performing Claude illustrate the growing trend in agentic AI with built-in protections. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to CNET the company's work with OpenClaw. > As customers adopt AI at scale, we're continuing to experiment with capabilities that move from conversation to action on your behalf. Our work with OpenClaw is still early, but it reflects that same focus: learning responsibly how to reduce everyday friction so people can spend more time on the work that matters most. The spokesperson emphasized responsible development for enterprise use. OpenClaw faces criticism for lacking security and privacy measures, prompting rivals to prioritize safeguards. Microsoft may unveil the updated Copilot at its Build developer conference on June 2-3.