Microsoft is actively exploring methods to integrate functionalities akin to OpenClaw into its established Microsoft 365 Copilot utility. These prospective features, which the company confirmed to The Information, are primarily aimed at enterprise clientele, promising superior security protocols compared to the widely recognized, and inherently riskier, open-source OpenClaw agent.
OpenClaw operates as a local application on a user's computer, capable of generating autonomous agents to perform tasks on behalf of the individual. Should Microsoft introduce its own iteration of a "Claw" — signifying a locally executing agent — this endeavor would join a growing portfolio of agentic tools the company has announced in recent months.
For instance, in March, Microsoft unveiled Copilot Cowork, an agent specifically engineered to execute actions within Microsoft 365 applications, moving beyond merely providing search results or chat capabilities in a separate work pane. Cowork is powered by its proprietary "WorkIQ" technology, an intelligent layer designed to personalize the Cowork experience for users across the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Microsoft has also leveraged Anthropic's Claude to power Cowork, following a partnership with the AI research lab late last year. Claude has since been made available as an optional model for Cowork. (While OpenClaw supports various models, Claude remains the preferred choice for many users of the open-source project.) However, unlike the potential new agent, Cowork operates in the cloud and does not run on local hardware.
In February, Microsoft additionally introduced Copilot Tasks, another agent designed for task completion, which was launched in preview at the time. Marketing materials suggested this agent was more tailored for prosumers than large enterprises, with its intended capabilities ranging from organizing email (a Microsoft 365-centric task) to managing travel and appointments (tasks extending beyond Microsoft’s Office suite). This agent, too, operates in the cloud.
It remains unclear whether this forthcoming "Claw" will be a local application or if it will simply adopt some of the beloved features championed by OpenClaw advocates. Microsoft did inform The Information that a key characteristic of this agent would be its continuous operation as a version of 365 Copilot, perpetually active and capable of initiating actions at any given moment. The overarching vision is an agent proficient in executing multi-step tasks over extended periods.
While the open-source OpenClaw project is compatible with Windows machines, the Mac Mini has emerged as the preferred platform for many OpenClaw users. This preference has been so pronounced that the compact, affordable, cube-shaped Mac Mini desktops have experienced a sudden surge in sales. Consequently, beyond enhanced security, Microsoft likely has multiple motivations for developing its own version of such a tool.
The company is expected to showcase this new "Claw" (or an upgraded iteration of one of its existing Claw-like tools) at its Microsoft Build conference in June, as reported by The Verge.
We have reached out to Microsoft for clarification on how this new Claw agent integrates with its existing suite of agents and will provide updates as soon as a comment is received.
The Editorial Staff at AIChief is a team of professional content writers with extensive experience in AI and marketing. Founded in 2025, AIChief has quickly grown into the largest free AI resource hub in the industry.