Forward-looking: Real-time translation is often cited as one of the most practical applications of generative AI, and Microsoft plans to bring this feature to its video conferencing and team collaboration software early next year. The company also showcased numerous new and upcoming AI features at its recent Ignite 2024 event. One of the many Copilot "AI agents" coming soon to Microsoft 365 aims to translate speakers' voices during meetings in Microsoft Teams. The functionality will enter public preview in early 2025.Supported languages include Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.Users can also instruct the agent to replicate their voice and speaking style in the translated language. Additionally, a new AI transcription feature in Teams supports translations into 31 languages. Another translation tool, launching next year, enables Copilot to convert entire PowerPoint presentations into one of 40 languages without changing their formatting.Microsoft's new Copilot enterprise agents essentially customizable AI-based apps were first introduced a month ago. The first wave was designed to automate some tasks for sales and finance companies, a new wave of these agents will roll out to other industries between now and early 2024.For example, Copilot will soon be able to recap Microsoft Teams discussions, answer participant questions, and summarize files shared in chat. A feature launching later this month will allow Copilot to schedule one-on-one meetings by analyzing users' calendars, identifying mutually available times, and drafting meeting agendas. // Related StoriesAgents have also come to Microsoft's SharePoint tools. A new AI assistant can summon information about a company and its products to assist customers, train new team members, or plan budgets. Additionally, 365 subscribers can implement SharePoint Advanced Management at no extra cost starting early 2025.ServiceNow, Workday, Cohere, and other companies are also preparing to release more AI agents in the coming months. Meanwhile, Copilot is expected to expand its data access capabilities through partnerships with companies like S&P Global and CB Insights.Microsoft's Ignite 2024 announcements show the company is betting heavily on GenAI. However, features like translation, summaries, and queries hinge on accuracy a persistent challenge for AI due to the well-documented issues of hallucinations.Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff harshly criticized Microsoft's initial Copilot Agent rollout, citing insufficient accuracy, data, and security. However, Salesforce is attempting to compete with its Agentforce AI tools. The recent debut of Apple Intelligence has called generative AI summaries into question, with numerous unintentionally funny results spreading on social media.Microsoft contends that limiting AI agents to information from user-determined datasets will ensure accuracy. The upcoming public betas will put that claim to the test.