Microsoft develops new agent with OpenClaw-like features

Microsoft is testing ways to integrate OpenClaw-like features into its Microsoft 365 Copilot tool. The new features, confirmed by the company to The Information, are aimed at enterprise customers and will offer better security controls compared to the notoriously risky OpenClaw tool. OpenClaw runs locally on a user's computer and can create agents to perform tasks on behalf of the user.

If Microsoft develops its own version of Claw, it will join a number of other agentic tools the company has announced in recent months. For instance, in March, Microsoft introduced Copilot Cowork, designed to take actions within Microsoft 365 apps rather than just providing search results or chatting in a separate pane. Cowork is powered by its own “Work IQ” technology, which aims to personalize Cowork for the user across Microsoft 365 applications.

The company has also enlisted Anthropic's Claude to power Cowork after partnering with the AI lab late last year. Claude is available as an option for Cowork, while OpenClaw can work with multiple models, Claude remains the model of choice for many users of the open-source project. However, Cowork does not run on local hardware; it operates in the cloud.

In February, Microsoft introduced Copilot Tasks, another agent designed to complete tasks, which was released in preview at the time. The marketing materials suggested that this agent was geared more towards prosumers than enterprises, handling tasks from organizing emails to planning travel and appointments, which are outside Microsoft's Office suite. This agent, however, also operates in the cloud.

It is still unclear whether this new Claw will be local or simply adopt some features favored by OpenClaw advocates. Microsoft informed The Information that one of the main features of the agent would be that it essentially functions as a version of 365 Copilot that is always active, capable of taking actions at any time. The goal is to create an agent that can complete multi-step tasks over extended periods. While the OpenClaw project can run on Windows machines, the Mac Mini has become the go-to platform for OpenClaw users, leading to a surge in sales of these compact desktops.

Thus, beyond security concerns, Microsoft may have several motivations for wanting its own version. The company is expected to showcase this new Claw (or an upgraded version of one of its existing Claw-like tools) at its Microsoft Build conference in June, reports The Verge. We have asked Microsoft how the new Claw agent fits in with these other agents and will update the story when we receive a comment.