I’m thrilled to sit down with Dominic Jainy, a seasoned IT professional whose deep expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain has positioned him as a leading voice in emerging tech. With a passion for exploring how these innovations transform industries, Dominic offers unique insights into the latest advancements in enterprise software. Today, we’re diving into Microsoft’s Edge for Business browser and its groundbreaking AI features, unpacking how they’re set to redefine productivity and security for organizations. Our conversation touches on the practical impacts of tools like Copilot Mode, the nuances of workflow automation, and the critical role of data protection in modern business environments.
Can you start by telling us what Edge for Business is and how it stands apart from the standard Edge browser most of us use at home?
Absolutely. Edge for Business is Microsoft’s tailored version of the Edge browser, specifically designed for enterprise environments. Unlike the consumer version, which focuses on personal browsing with features like shopping tools or casual content recommendations, Edge for Business prioritizes productivity, security, and integration with workplace tools. It’s built to support corporate policies, seamless access to Microsoft 365 apps, and now, with recent updates, advanced AI capabilities that cater to team collaboration and workflow efficiency. Think of it as a browser that’s not just for surfing the web, but for driving business outcomes.
Let’s talk about the big announcement at the Ignite conference—Copilot Mode. Can you explain what this is and how it’s meant to benefit business users?
Copilot Mode is a transformative feature Microsoft rolled out for Edge for Business, integrating generative AI to enhance how teams work. It’s essentially a suite of smart, proactive tools powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot that turn the browser into more than just a gateway to the internet—it becomes a digital assistant of sorts. For business users, this means streamlined tasks, personalized suggestions, and the ability to handle complex workflows right from the browser. It’s about saving time and reducing friction in daily operations, whether you’re drafting reports or managing schedules.
I’ve heard Copilot Mode described as an “intelligent partner.” Could you break down what that looks like for everyday team tasks?
That’s a great way to frame it. As an “intelligent partner,” Copilot Mode doesn’t just react to commands—it anticipates what a team might need based on their work patterns. For instance, if your team is working on a project with tight deadlines, it might proactively pull up relevant documents or suggest meeting times based on everyone’s calendars. It’s embedded in the browser, so while you’re researching online, it can offer insights or connect data from your organization’s resources. It’s like having a colleague who’s always one step ahead, helping with context-driven support.
How does Copilot Mode tap into a team’s context to predict needs, and could you share a practical example of this in action?
Copilot Mode leverages data from Microsoft 365 and user activity to understand the context of a team’s work. It looks at things like shared documents, email threads, and even browsing habits within the organization’s ecosystem to predict what might be useful next. A simple example would be if you’re browsing for market research online while working on a presentation. Copilot might notice this and suggest pulling data from an internal report your team recently shared, saving you the hassle of digging through files. It’s all about connecting the dots seamlessly.
One feature within Copilot Mode is Agent Mode. What kinds of multi-step workflows can this automate for businesses?
Agent Mode is a powerful piece of Copilot Mode that focuses on automating repetitive, multi-step processes that often eat up time. For businesses, this could mean something like automating expense report submissions—where it pulls data from receipts you’ve uploaded, fills out forms on approved platforms, and even routes them for approval without you manually clicking through each step. It’s designed for tasks that involve multiple actions across web-based tools, cutting down on manual effort while ensuring everything stays within secure boundaries.
Since Agent Mode only functions on preapproved sites, how do companies typically determine which sites are safe to include?
That’s a critical aspect of maintaining security. Companies usually decide which sites are preapproved based on their IT policies and the nature of the tools they use. This often involves the IT department evaluating the security protocols of a site—whether it complies with data protection standards and if it’s integral to business operations. For instance, a company might approve a cloud-based HR platform for Agent Mode to automate payroll tasks, but exclude less secure or non-essential sites. It’s a balance of functionality and risk management, often guided by compliance requirements.
What safeguards does Agent Mode have to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information?
Agent Mode is built with security as a priority. It operates under strict policies set by the organization, meaning it can’t access sensitive data unless explicitly permitted by the user or admin. There are built-in guardrails that ensure it sticks to approved workflows and sites, and it’s designed to respect data privacy settings within Microsoft 365. For example, if a workflow involves personal employee data, Agent Mode won’t pull or process that information without clear authorization, protecting both the company and its employees from potential breaches.
Let’s shift to Daily Briefing. How does this feature use Microsoft Graph and browsing history to keep users organized?
Daily Briefing is a fantastic tool for staying on top of your workload. It pulls data from Microsoft Graph, which is essentially a network of information across your organization’s Microsoft 365 environment—like emails, calendars, and shared files—and combines it with your browsing history within Edge. It then curates a summary of your day, highlighting upcoming meetings, pending tasks, and key priorities. It’s like a personalized dashboard that helps you hit the ground running each morning by reminding you of what needs attention, all without digging through multiple apps.
Daily Briefing shows up on a new Copilot-inspired tab. Can you describe its design and how it blends search and chat functionalities?
The new Copilot-inspired tab is a sleek, user-friendly interface that acts as a central hub for productivity. Visually, it’s clean and intuitive, with a prominent intelligent box that merges search and chat capabilities. You can type in a query as you would with a search engine, but it also allows conversational interactions—like asking follow-up questions or refining requests in a chat-like format. It pulls results not just from the web, but also from your internal resources, making it a one-stop spot for finding information and getting quick AI assistance.
Multi-tab reasoning is another intriguing feature. How does it help users by pulling insights from multiple open tabs?
Multi-tab reasoning is a game-changer for anyone juggling a lot of information at once. It allows Copilot to analyze data across up to 30 open tabs—whether they’re web pages, PDFs, Microsoft files, or internal sites—and make connections or suggestions based on that collective content. For example, if you’ve got a tab open with a client’s website, another with a project brief, and a third with industry stats, Copilot can summarize key points or suggest next steps without you manually cross-referencing. It’s a huge time-saver for research-heavy roles.
There’s also a feature to retrieve old browsing pages using natural language. How does that work, and what kinds of phrases might users input?
This feature is incredibly handy for recalling past work. It lets you search your browsing history—going back up to three months—using everyday language instead of needing exact URLs or page titles. The AI understands context, so you could type something like “that report on market trends I looked at last month” or “the supplier page I visited before the team meeting.” It then pulls up the relevant page based on those descriptive cues, making it much easier to revisit critical information without endless scrolling through history logs.
Summarizing YouTube content is another time-saving tool. How does this help employees who need quick insights from videos?
This feature tackles the frustration of sitting through long videos to get to the good stuff. The summarization tool in Edge for Business can analyze YouTube content and provide a concise breakdown of key points, so employees don’t have to watch every minute. For instance, if a marketing team member needs insights from a 20-minute industry webinar, the tool might summarize the main takeaways—like key strategies or data points—in a few sentences. It’s perfect for quickly absorbing information without disrupting workflow, especially in fast-paced environments.
On the security side, Microsoft introduced watermarking for sensitive files. Can you explain how this works and how admins enable it?
Watermarking is a smart security measure to protect sensitive data. It essentially embeds a visible or digital marker on files or web content deemed confidential, signaling to users that the information needs careful handling. In Edge for Business, admins can turn this on with a simple toggle in the Microsoft 365 management service, applying it to specific documents or sites as needed. Once enabled, the watermark appears as a reminder and can also help track the file if it’s shared improperly, adding an extra layer of accountability.
What’s the real value of watermarking for businesses, and how does it encourage cautious data handling?
The value of watermarking lies in both deterrence and awareness. For businesses, it’s a way to safeguard intellectual property or client data by making it clear that certain materials are sensitive—think financial reports or proprietary designs. When employees see a watermark, it’s a visual cue to think twice before sharing or printing, reinforcing data security policies. It’s less about punishment and more about fostering a culture of responsibility, ensuring everyone handles critical information with the care it deserves.
Lastly, Protected Clipboard caught my attention as a security feature. How does it improve on the traditional copy-and-paste approach to prevent data leaks?
Protected Clipboard addresses a common pain point with copy-and-paste functions, which historically have been an “all or nothing” scenario—either block it completely and frustrate users, or allow it and risk leaks. This feature lets admins set specific boundaries within managed apps, controlling what can be copied and where it can be pasted. For example, you might copy text from a sensitive document in a Microsoft app, but the system won’t let you paste it into an unsecured external chat. It creates guardrails that preserve productivity while minimizing the chance of accidental or intentional data exposure.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for how AI-driven browsers like Edge for Business will shape the future of workplace productivity?
I’m incredibly optimistic about the trajectory here. AI-driven browsers like Edge for Business are poised to become central hubs for workplace productivity, moving beyond mere access to information and into active problem-solving. I foresee them evolving to handle even more complex tasks—think predictive analytics for project delays or real-time collaboration enhancements across global teams. As AI gets smarter, these tools will likely integrate deeper with other enterprise systems, creating a seamless digital workspace. The challenge will be balancing innovation with security, but if done right, we’re looking at a future where mundane tasks are nearly invisible, letting employees focus on creativity and strategy.