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Kevin McDonnell and Garry Trinder delve into the world of Model Context Protocol (MCP) and its implications for developers. We start with a starter overview of functionality of MCP and why it is important. However, we wanted to get beyond that initial view that is covered elsewhere and look at some of the challenges associated with using MCP and broader considerations that you need to be looking at. The conversation covers the importance of optimizing documentation for language models, governance in MCP usage, and strategies for getting started with MCP and then scaling. 

Takeaways

• MCP is a universal approach to context in AI.
• MCP servers can execute actions beyond API calls.
• Optimizing documentation for LLMs is essential for effective AI integration.
• Trust and governance are critical in using MCP servers.
• MCP can significantly enhance productivity in software development.
• Building an MCP server can be straightforward and quick.
• MCP allows for local execution of actions, enhancing flexibility.
• The future of MCP involves more robust governance and control mechanisms.
• Organizations should develop a strategy for managing MCP servers.
• Experimentation with MCP can lead to unexpected benefits and insights.

Useful links

Introduction - Model Context Protocol

Getting started with Local MCP Servers on Claude Desktop | Anthropic Help Center and For Claude Desktop Users – Model Context Protocol （MCP）

Use MCP servers in VS Code

Community built Graph MCP Server - GitHub - merill/lokka: MCP (Model Context Protocol) for Microsoft 365.

Azure AI Search:

Full text search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft Learn

Vector search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft Learn

Hybrid search - Azure AI Search | Microsoft Learn

MCP for beginners course - GitHub - microsoft/mcp-for-beginners

MCP Dev Days 29th/30th July (and available on demand after) - MCP Dev Days | Microsoft Reactor

Microsoft MCP Lab - GitHub - microsoft/mcsmcp: Lab for creating an MCP Server and using it in Microsoft Copilot Studio.

Microsoft's MCP Server collection - GitHub - microsoft/mcp: Catalog of official Microsoft MCP (Model Context Protocol) server implementations for AI-powered data access and tool integration

CLI for m365 MCP server - GitHub - pnp/cli-microsoft365-mcp-server: Manage Microsoft 365 using MCP server

GitHub - dotnet/dev-proxy: Simulate API failures, throttling, and chaos — all from your command line.

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Welcome to a brand new way of hearing about the latest Copilot extensibility news! In this episode of the Copilot Connection, Kevin swaps out Zoe for Garry Trinder in the first of a spin-off of episodes where we dig deeper into the extensibility side of Copilot.

In this first episode, we go into an overview of the options that you have for extending Copilot. We talk cover why you would need to extend Copilot, the different ways you can do that (whether by end user, maker or specialist) and touch a little on how you can actually get started with doing it.

Is there a specific topic that you'd like to see us cover? Let us know!

Takeaways

• Extensibility in Copilot allows developers to create tailored solutions.
• Understanding AI maturity is crucial for effective implementation.
• Personalization of AI tools enhances user experience and productivity.
• Scoping and context are essential for effective use of Copilot.
• Integrating external knowledge sources can enhance AI capabilities.
• Balancing deterministic and non-deterministic approaches is key in AI applications.
• Declarative agents simplify the process of building AI solutions.
• Responsible AI practices are necessary when developing custom solutions.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in the evolving AI landscape.

Related links

• Copilot extensibility learning paths
• Copilot camp - no actual camping required
• Community samples
• Pro dev community samples

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With the post Build lull in Microsoft news, Zoe and Kevin decided to take a look at some of the upcoming conferences and recommend a few sessions that stood out in the Copilot and agents space. Firstly though, we couldn't resist talking a bit about the collapse of Builder.ai and the re-org of some of the Engineering management teams at Microsoft.

We also covered our next Copilot Fireside Chat where Daniel Laskewitz will be joining us to answer your questions on Copilot Studio, MCP and whatever else takes your fancy.

News:

• Microsoft-backed AI startup chatbots revealed to be human employees | Mashable
• Microsoft’s LinkedIn chief is now running Office as part of an AI reorg | The Verge

Conferences covered:

• European Power Platform Conference | Austria | Jun 16-19, 2025
• Commsverse 2025 - The Microsoft Teams Conference - Jun 18-19 2025
• Tech Con 365 Seattle - June 23-27 2025
• Collab Summit North America - Sep 7-9 2025
• ESPC25 | Conference | Ireland | Dec 1-4, 2025

Other ones we mentioned:

• Collab Days Netherlands - June 21 2025
• CollabDays Hamburg 2025 - June 28 2025
• CollabDays Finland 2025 - 11 Sep 2025
• Experts Live UK 2025 - 16 Sep 2025
• CollabDays Bletchley Park 2025 - 24 Sep 2025
• South Coast Summit - 17-18 Sep 2025

Check out other conferences at Community Days.

Takeaways

• Investors need to scrutinize AI startups more closely.
• The importance of responsible AI practices is paramount.
• Microsoft's leadership changes signal a new direction.
• AI's impact on employment is a growing concern.
• Community conferences are vital for networking and learning.
• AI literacy is essential for effective use of technology.
• Clothespilot demonstrates practical AI applications.
• Engaging with the community enhances knowledge sharing.
• Fireside chats provide valuable insights from industry experts.

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In this episode of Copilot Connection, hosts Zoe and Kevin discuss the latest updates and insights from the Microsoft Copilot ecosystem from Build as well as a slight detour to the Chelsea Flower Show. We cover topics like M365 Copilot tuning, notebooks, researcher and analyst agents, and SRE agents. We also explore the implications of AI Foundry and the natural language web, while wrapping up with a look at upcoming events and the importance of community engagement.

Takeaways

• The Chelsea Flower Show showcased innovative AI applications in gardening.
• M365 Copilot tuning can transform industries like legal with tailored solutions.
• Notebooks in Copilot provide a flexible way to organize and query content.
• Researcher and Analyst agents enhance data analysis and decision-making processes.
• AI Foundry allows for local model integration, expanding AI capabilities.
• SRE agents automate software reliability tasks, improving efficiency.
• Natural language web features enable more intuitive website interactions.
• Community-driven initiatives are crucial for the development of AI tools.
• Microsoft's Build conference highlighted significant advancements in AI technology.
• The importance of ethical considerations in AI deployment is paramount.

Links

Avanade Intelligent Garden 

Book of News - https://news.microsoft.com/build-2025-book-of-news/

Copilot Tuning

Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot APIs

Announcing Microsoft Entra Agent ID: Secure and manage your AI agents | Microsoft Community Hub

microsoft/AI-Red-Teaming-Playground-Labs: AI Red Teaming playground labs to run AI Red Teaming trainings including infrastructure.

NL Web Introducing NLWeb: Bringing conversational interfaces directly to the web - Source and Debugging GenAI with CAPs + NLWeb + OpenTelemetry: A Real-Time Visibility Unlock | LinkedIn

Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot APIs

Reddit post on SRE agent being used in the dotnet repo My new hobby: watching AI slowly drive Microsoft employees insane : r/ExperiencedDevs

Power Apps Studio with Agent Feed

Reimagining human-agent collaboration for a new era of app development with Microsoft Power Apps - Microsoft Power Platform Blog

Walkthrough of agent feed in Power Apps - users and ma

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News, news, news - we have lots of new news! Zoe and Kevin discuss the latest announcements from Microsoft about Copilot Wave 2 Spring Release. We delve into the significance of the Work Trend Index, the new user interface and search experience, and the introduction of memory and notebooks features. Then we dig into the management and reporting of agents, the concept of the human-agent ratio (including some extreme reactions to some new phrases from Microsoft...) and the importance of leadership in leveraging AI capabilities. Finally, we cover some of the magical events coming up.

Takeaways

• Wave 2 announcements from Microsoft include significant updates and features.
• The Work Trend Index is crucial for understanding productivity trends.
• A new user interface is being introduced for a better user experience.
• Memory features will enhance user interactions with Copilot.
• Notebooks will allow users to group and summarize conversations.
• The Create Experience will simplify content creation across platforms.
• Agent management is becoming more streamlined with the Frontier Program.
• Understanding the human-agent ratio is essential for effective delegation.
• Upcoming conferences will provide opportunities for community engagement.

Sound Bites

• "The skill of delegation is something that everyone wanted to get."
• "Minutes saved isn't cashable."
• "It definitely feels like conference season is in full swing."

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In this episode of Copilot Connection, Zoe and Kevin are joined by Gary Raife to discuss the transformative potential of AI and Microsoft Copilot in the healthcare sector. We explore the challenges of interoperability, the role of AI in enhancing patient care, and the exciting developments of Dragon Copilot. The conversation also touches on the integration of personal health data, the importance of trust and transparency in AI applications, and the future of healthcare driven by data and technology.

Takeaways

• Healthcare presents a significant opportunity for AI integration.
• Interoperability remains a critical challenge in healthcare systems.
• AI can enhance patient experiences and streamline workflows.
• Dragon Copilot introduces ambient listening capabilities for clinicians.
• Wearable technology can provide valuable health data for monitoring.
• Trust and transparency are essential for AI adoption in healthcare.
• Personal health data integration can improve patient outcomes.
• AI should support clinicians rather than replace them.
• The future of healthcare will be increasingly data-driven.
• Collaboration between technology and healthcare professionals is vital. 

Key links

• Gary's blog

News

• Introducing Researcher and Analyst in Microsoft 365 Copilot | Microsoft 365 Blog
• Copilot Consumer Updates - Your AI Companion - The Official Microsoft Blog
• New capabilities in Azure AI Foundry to build advanced agentic applications  | Microsoft Azure Blog
• Interpreter Agent
  • Interpreter in Microsoft Teams meetings - Microsoft Support
  • Kevin's view of Interpreter Agent
• Copilot Studio Toolkit updates announced
• microsoft/Power-CAT-Copilot-Studio-Kit
• Introduction - Model Context Protocol
• Announcing the Agent2Agent Protocol (A2A) - Google Developers Blog

Healthcare related

• Meet Microsoft Dragon Copilot: Your new AI assistant for clinical workflow - Microsoft Industry Blogs
• Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare | Microsoft

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How responsible are you with AI? Zoe Wilson and Kevin McDonnell are joined this week by Chris Huntingford (Director of AI at ANS among many other things!), focusing on responsible AI practices, data management, and the socio-economic impacts of technology. We covered the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in AI implementation. The discussion also touches on the cultural shifts required for successful AI adoption, the challenges of governance in AI systems, and the future of AI agents.

We also had an amazing announcement for the Copilot Fireside Chat that you can hear at the end! Or get a sneak peak on the Fireside Chat site.

Key takeaways:

• The importance of responsible AI practices is paramount.
• Data management and compliance are critical in the AI landscape.
• Socioeconomic impacts of AI technology must be considered.
• Education and critical thinking are essential for future generations.
• Creativity should not be overshadowed by AI advancements.
• AI-generated content can lead to a decline in quality and creativity.
• Legal accountability for AI deployment is necessary.
• Individuals must advocate for ethical AI practices.
• The EU AI Act sets important standards for AI accountability.
• Community engagement is vital for responsible AI development. Transparency is crucial in AI deployment.
• Shared responsibility involves vendors, deployers, and users.
• Accountability must be established at all levels.
• Data quality directly impacts AI outcomes.
• Cultural shifts are necessary for effective AI adoption.
• Governance in AI is more important than ever.
• Organizations should focus on training rather than cutting jobs.
• AI implementation requires careful planning and testing.
• Responsible AI practices must be prioritized.
• The future of AI agents needs robust governance frameworks.

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In this episode of Copilot Connection, Kevin goes solo and dives deep into the world of Microsoft Copilot, exploring the intricacies of prompt engineering and the practical applications of prompts in enhancing productivity. He discusses various techniques for effective prompting, the significance of community contributions, and how to utilize the Copilot prompt gallery to streamline workflows. The conversation emphasizes the evolving nature of AI and the need for users to adapt and refine their approaches to maximize the benefits of generative AI tools.

Takeaways

• Prompt engineering is best for effective AI interaction but not essential.
• Understanding agentic threats is essential for security and OWASP can help.
• Community resources can enhance learning and application.
• Utilizing the Copilot prompt gallery can streamline workflows.
• Advanced prompting techniques can lead to better outcomes.
• Regularly revisiting and refining prompts is beneficial.
• AI can assist in complex problem-solving scenarios.
• Diversity of thought is important in AI applications.
• Practical applications of prompts can save time and effort.
• Engagement with the community fosters knowledge sharing.

Useful links

News:

OWASP agentic threats https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jsotiropoulos_aisecurity-agenticai-owasp-activity-7297385436925095937-vQmg

Beginner guide for agents https://www.linkedin.com/posts/donasarkar_happy-valentines-day-friends-as-a-activity-7296237085194084352-db7o

New AI models include a gaming model https://www.geekwire.com/2025/microsoft-reveals-new-gaming-focused-generative-ai-model-muse-that-could-revive-classic-games/

Fabian Williams bring us some agentic magic with CAPs https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fabiangwilliams_autonomous-multi-agent-group-chat-working-activity-7297051837969358848-R4zG

Prompts:

Crafting effective prompts https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/getting-the-most-from-the-copilot-prompt-gallery/4383106

Prompt Engineering Guide | Prompt Engineering Guide

Best practices for prompt engineering with the OpenAI API | OpenAI Help Center 

Stefan Bisser’s tool to write prompts https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephan-bisser_agent-instructor-visual-studio-marketplace-activity-7298292501763780610-OAYW

Prompts of the week pnp/copilot-prompts: Examples of p

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In this episode of Copilot Connection, Zoe and Kevin discuss the latest roadmap items for Microsoft 365 Copilot, highlighting Teams, Microsoft 365 apps, Extensibility, SharePoint, Admin and Purview. Hear about the latest batches coming in February and March and what it could mean to you.

Takeaways

• Roadmap updates indicate a significant increase in available tools and capabilities.
• Teams updates focus on enhancing collaborative productivity.
• Accessibility features are being prioritized in new updates.
• The ability to analyze on-screen content will improve meeting experiences.
• Voice recognition technology will enhance transcription accuracy.
• Upcoming updates will roll out in batches, indicating a fast-paced development cycle.
• Developers will soon have tools to create custom agents for Copilot.
• Extensibility is becoming more tangible and accessible for organizations.
• The integration of AI into business processes is crucial for future productivity.
• The new SharePoint features allow for better content discoverability management.
• Viva Connections cards will enhance Copilot functionality.
• Usage reports for integrated apps will provide valuable insights.
• Microsoft Purview is improving security management capabilities.
• Data Loss Prevention will restrict Copilot processing on sensitive content.
• Identifying risky AI usage is crucial for security.
• Real-life use cases of AI agents are emerging.
• Upcoming events will provide more insights into AI advancements.
• The conversation around AI is evolving rapidly.
• Engagement with the community is essential for knowledge sharing.

Key links

Roadmap - Teams

Roadmap - M365 Apps

Roadmap - Extensibility

Roadmap - SharePoint and Admin
Roadmap - Purview

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In this episode of Copilot Connection, hosts Zoe Wilson and Kevin McDonnell discuss the evolution of Microsoft's Copilot ecosystem, including the recent announcement of Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. They explore the implications of AI agents in business, insights from the Microsoft Research Future of Work report, and the importance of democratizing access to AI technologies. Finally, we talk about our exciting guest for the next Copilot Fireside Chat and her new team.

Takeaways

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• The Copilot ecosystem has evolved significantly over the past 18 months.
• Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat aims to provide a unified experience for users.
• AI agents can democratize access to technology for frontline workers.
• Organizations need to balance AI adoption with sustainability concerns.
• The Future of Work report highlights the importance of readiness in organizations.
• Multi-agent systems have great potential but require further research.
• User experience design is crucial for effective AI integration.
• Real-world examples are needed to demonstrate the value of AI agents.
• The conversation around AI should focus on responsible and sustainable use.
• Engagement with the community is essential for successful AI adoption.

Mentioned links

Copilot Chat

• M365 hero blog: https://aka.ms/copilotchat
• Copilot Studio blog (includes pricing info): http://aka.ms/mcscopilotchat

Daniel Rohregger's post of different costs https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drohregger_what-does-the-new-payg-for-agents-in-copilot-activity-7285909965200904192-Djls?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Future of Work report - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/microsoft-new-future-of-work-report-2024

Debates with Saleforce
Full GenAI panic at Salesforce? | LinkedIn

Clippy 2.0 is better than Agentforce 2.0?

Dona's call to action - Post | Feed | LinkedIn

Sign up for Copilot Fireside Chat - Copilot Fireside Chat