Automation

Microsoft Research forecasts 2026 as a pivotal year where AI evolves into collaborative 'digital coworkers' across sectors, emphasizing security, agentic systems, and quantum advancements that align with human-centered goals and redefine enterprise resource planning.

AI agents are evolving into integral digital coworkers, compelling ERP and HCM buyers to reassess workforce planning, governance, and technology frameworks by 2026, as enterprise software transitions to accommodate AI-driven workflows and digital employees, while also emphasizing the importance of governance and integration in a hybrid human-digital labor model.

Microsoft and OpenAI have released GPT-5.1 in Copilot Studio for US customers, offering two versions—Instant and Thinking—for enhanced reasoning and personalization, thereby supporting enterprise-scale adoption and allowing organizations to test advanced AI capabilities in a controlled environment.

CIO Thomas Buck talks cloud and sustainable transformation for electric powertrain engine technology firm, Vitesco Technologies, plus the possibilities of Industry 4.0, across its AWS, SAP and Microsoft stack.