CES is a land of bold announcements of amazing, innovative products and technologies that will revolutionize the world, often set for release in two years' time. Twenty-four months seems to be about the right hype window: close enough to generate excitement and investment, but far enough that everyone forgets about your promises before that deadline quietly comes and goes.
It was CES 2018 when Henrik Fisker made such a proclamation, saying that his team of gurus had cracked the code of solid-state batteries. By 2020, he said, those batteries would be in mass production. The car was the EMotion, which never did come to market. By 2021, the c …
Microsoft’s Copilot Checkout lets users browse and buy products without leaving the chat. (Microsoft Image, click for larger version)
[Editor’s Note: Agents of Transformation is an independent GeekWire series and 2026 event, underwritten by Accenture, exploring the people, companies, and ideas behind the rise of AI agents.]
Microsoft is making its own bid to turn AI conversations into agentic commerce, announcing a new feature called Copilot Checkout that lets users complete purchases directly within its AI chatbot, without being redirected to an external website.
The company is betting that its existing enterprise technology footprint and established relationships with large retailers will give it an edge over OpenAI, Google, and Amazon in winning over merchants wary of giving up control to retail rivals or AI intermediaries.
Kathleen Mitford, Microsoft corporate vice president of global industry marketing. (Microsoft Photo)
“We’ve designed it in such a way that retailers own those relationships with the customers,” said Kathleen Mitford, corporate vice president of global industry marketing at Microsoft. “It is their data, it is their relationship, and that’s something that’s really important to us.”
It’s part of a broader AI rollout by Microsoft at NRF 2026, the retail industry’s annual conference in New York. Microsoft is also launching Brand Agents, pitched as a complete solution for Shopify merchants to add AI assistants to their websites, along with new AI tools to assist store employees and help retailers enhance their online product listings and metadata.
Copilot Checkout works by surfacing products from partner retailers within Copilot search results. Purchases can be completed without leaving the conversation. Microsoft says the retailer remains the merchant of record, handling fulfillment and customer service.
But will people buy in chat?
The bigger question for the tech industry is whether chat-based commerce is actually the next big thing. Forrester analyst Sucharita Kodali, for example, previously told GeekWire that “e-commerce isn’t a problem that needs to be fixed.” She added that it’s unclear what value chat-based commerce is bringing to retailers, “other than disintermediating Google.”
Microsoft’s Mitford offered a different take in an interview this week, saying that consumer behavior is shifting faster than it may seem. She drew a parallel to how quickly businesses moved from experimenting with AI to putting it into operation over the past year.
“I see the same thing happening with consumers … it just takes a little bit of time,” Mitford said, predicting that the speed of consumer adoption will eventually match the rapid uptake seen in the business world.
Copilot Checkout is rolling out now in the U.S. on Copilot.com, with PayPal, Shopify, and Stripe handling payment processing. Etsy sellers will be among the first available on the platform. Shopify merchants are set to be automatically enrolled following an opt-out window.
That last detail is notable given the backlash Amazon has faced over its “Buy for Me” feature, where brands complained about being included without consent and seeing inaccurate listings.
Microsoft’s approach is more tightly connected to its partners — the company said Shopify will management the opt-out process for its merchants — but automatic enrollment seems to raise the potential for some of the same concerns. (We’ve contacted Shopify for more information.)
The competitive landscape
More broadly, Microsoft is playing catch-up on the consumer side.
OpenAI launched Instant Checkout in ChatGPT last September, partnering with Shopify and Stripe to let users buy from more than a million merchants. Google followed in November with its own “Buy for Me” feature which lets its Gemini assistant purchase products on a user’s behalf.
Despite its inroads with businesses, Copilot has a fraction of ChatGPT’s market share with consumers. Recent data from Similarweb’s Global AI Tracker showed ChatGPT with about 68% of AI chatbot web traffic, with Google Gemini at 18% and Copilot in the single digits.
But Microsoft has its advantages: Unlike Amazon and Google, which compete directly with retailers through their own marketplaces, it isn’t a retailer. And retail has long been a major vertical for its enterprise cloud and software business, with large chains running on Azure and Microsoft 365.
Mitford said Microsoft is leaning on its existing trust and long-standing relationships with retailers, along with a commitment to responsible AI, to help differentiate itself from rivals.
Microsoft is making the broader case for AI to retailers based on return on investment. A Microsoft-commissioned study from IDC, released in November, found that retail and consumer packaged goods companies are seeing a 2.7x return on every dollar spent on generative AI.
Mitford, a former fashion designer who has been in the technology industry for most of her career, said she sees the retail sector among the leaders in AI uptake across the business world.
The technology, she said, is being “adopted at a pace that I’ve never seen.”
Microsoft launches a Slack to Teams migration tool in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
This tool transfers channels, messages, files, and memberships to Teams with minimal effort.
This Slack to Teams migration tool initially covers channel content.
Microsoft is streamlining the move from Slack to Teams with a new migration tool built directly into the Microsoft 365 admin center. This tool ensures a smooth transfer of channel content, which helps businesses consolidate collaboration without the usual headaches of platform migration.
With the new Slack to Teams migration tool, customers will be able to migrate data from their Slack workspace to Microsoft Teams. The migrated data will include Slack channels (public and private), channel messages, channel file attachments, channel canvas and list content, and Slack channel membership (owners and members).
“The migration tool runs in the Microsoft 365 admin center and uses Slack export packages and online access to the customer’s Slack workspace to retrieve customer data. Customers generate Slack export packages through the standard Slack workspace administration interface,” Microsoft explained.
Slack to Teams migration tool (Image Credit: Microsoft)
How can IT admins use the Slack to Microsoft Teams migration tool?
Administrators will be able to see this Slack to Teams migration tool appear on the Migration and imports page in the Microsoft 365 admin center. On the setup page, IT admins will specify a Slack export file and select a workspace to migrate. Moreover, they will be able to run migration tasks and monitor their execution status on the migration page.
According to Microsoft, this new feature will be enabled by default, and IT admins will be able to review which Slack channels are eligible for migration. Initially, the Slack to Teams migration tool will support only channel messages, but future updates will include additional Slack content types.
Guidance for IT admins: Streamlining migration and preparing for change
For IT administrators, this built‑in Slack to Teams migration tool streamlines cross‑platform consolidation by surfacing eligible Slack channels and guiding content transfer directly from the Microsoft 365 admin center. It also provides task execution and status monitoring, which reduces manual effort and custom scripting.
Admins should prepare change‑management communications and helpdesk readiness ahead of rollout, and align channel mappings (public/private/shared) with Teams governance policies. They should also review compliance and retention configurations to ensure migrated conversations inherit appropriate Teams policies and audit trails.
Microsoft noted that this new tool is currently available in public preview for Targeted Release customers. The company plans to make it generally available for all commercial customers in March 2026. You can learn more about how to complete the migration process on this support page.
Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders! I’m Jenny Ye, a Product Manager on the Word team. I’m excited to share an update to Word for the web, Word for Windows, and Word for Mac that makes it easier to add hyperlinks to your documents.
Add links to text faster in Word
We believe that tasks you do every day in Word, like hyperlink text, should feel effortless – which is why we’ve made the whole process a lot quicker. Now, you can simply highlight a word or phrase and paste the link directly onto it, and this will automatically add a hyperlink. Whether you’re sharing resources with your team or citing articles in a report, this feature helps you stay in the flow by reducing clicks and letting you focus on your words instead of formatting.
How it works
In a browser, copy the link you want to include in your document.
In Word for the web, Word for Windows, or Word for Mac, select the text you want to add the link to, and then paste the hyperlink.
Availability
This feature is available to all Word for the web users, and rolling out to users running:
Windows: Version 2511 (Build 19530.20006) or later.
Mac: Version 16.104 (Build 25120915) or later.
Feedback
We’re always looking for ways to help you work smarter, so let us know what you think of this new feature! Please submit your comments by selecting Help > Feedback in the app and using the hashtag #overpaste in your feedback!
After 20 years as an accountant, I found myself yearning for something more—something that would let me share my passion for learning and help others grow. The turning point came in 2011, when I made the bold decision to leave a stable, full-time job for a part-time role, freeing up my afternoons to pursue what truly excited me: teaching and sharing knowledge about spreadsheets.
What Does MVP Really Mean? Sports vs. Technology
Most people associate “MVP” with sports, where it stands for “Most Valuable Player," the star who shines brightest on the field. But in the world of technology, MVP means “Most Valuable Professional.” It’s a recognition from Microsoft for those who go above and beyond to share their expertise and support the community. There’s no monetary prize, but the value lies in the trust, respect, and opportunities it brings.
Discovering the Microsoft MVP Program
My journey into the MVP community began with a simple blog about Excel and other spreadsheets. The blog quickly gained traction, earning a regional award and connecting me with a vibrant network of Excel enthusiasts. Two years in, a follower introduced me to the MVP program. I decided to apply, embracing the mindset that I have nothing to lose so I might as well go ahead. In 2014, I received the news that I was awarded the Microsoft MVP title.
Taking the Leap: Career Change and Community Building
Leaving a secure job wasn’t easy, especially when those around me didn’t fully understand my decision. But the leap allowed me to focus on what mattered most—helping others learn and grow. Through my blog and community work, I discovered the power of sharing knowledge and building connections.
Applying for MVP: Advice and First Steps
If you’re considering the MVP path, here’s my first piece of advice: don’t be afraid to try. The worst outcome is a “no,” but every step forward brings new opportunities. The application process is about showing your passion, your willingness to help, and your commitment to the community.
Receiving the MVP Award was a turning point—opening doors to new opportunities, global events, and lifelong connections - Yolanda Cuesta.
Receiving the Award: What It Means to Be an MVP
Being named a Microsoft MVP is a seal of quality—a recognition of your expertise and your impact. It’s not about financial reward, but about the doors it opens and the professional value it brings. For me, it marked the start of a new chapter filled with growth, learning, and global connections.
Global Connections: Events and Experiences
Since becoming an MVP, I’ve been invited to Microsoft technical events across Europe—Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Madrid—and to the annual MVP Summit at Microsoft’s headquarters in Seattle. These experiences have enriched my career, expanded my network, and introduced me to colleagues and professionals who have supported me along the way.
Over the years, I’ve not only traveled thanks to the award, but also met countless valuable professionals. Many doors have opened—opportunities I never imagined before taking the leap in 2011. In Spain, female representation among MVPs has grown from just 3% in 2014 to 19.4% in 2025—a significant advance, but there’s still room for improvement.
Advice for Aspiring MVPs
Yolanda in front of a screen showing her profile.
It’s never too late to change. If you truly want it, take a step forward and start turning your career around. It doesn’t have to be a drastic decision—small steps count. Sign up for training, update your CV, apply for attractive job offers, delegate tasks, and share your new interests with others. Adjust what you’re not comfortable with in your profession and let it give you strength and courage.
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
If my story inspires you, remember -- it’s never too late to pursue your passion, share your expertise, or make a bold career change. Whether you’re considering the MVP program or simply want to grow in your field, take that first step -- start learning, connect with your community, and don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
Curious about the MVP experience or want advice?
Feel free to connect with me for more information. Your next chapter could be just one decision away.
Most organizations are ending 2025 with tangible AI wins. Developers are shipping code faster, costs are down and leadership is thrilled that everyone is embracing AI.
Congratulations. You’re about to face a whole new set of problems. The decisions you make about scaling, governance and strategic integration in 2026 will make a crucial difference to how your organization performs in the coming years.
Get it right, and the gains you’ve seen in the past year will compound. Get it wrong, and your growth will plateau or worse.
Let’s look at three trends enabling organizations to use AI for sustained growth and business transformation in 2026: AI governance, end-to-end agentic systems and data context.
The Shadow AI Conundrum
At some point in the coming year, your CFO will probably ask why your cloud costs have skyrocketed, and you’ll discover that three different teams built competing agentic AI solutions to solve the same problem.
The paradox is that this spirit of experimentation is exactly what’s driving AI adoption and the discovery of successful solutions. But as teams spin up ad hoc solutions from development tools, cloud platforms and countless other sources, the lack of centralized oversight becomes an issue that you can’t afford to ignore. All of these agents will increase cloud and compute costs.
Organizations need to refine the way they measure ROI to understand how their AI investments are actually performing. They will need to implement governance platforms that track which agents are running, the resources they consume, the business value they deliver and how they interact with each other and with critical systems.
Governance is always a trade-off. Developers still need the ability to experiment with new AI tools. But the most successful organizations will find the right balance between AI innovation and governance.
The Shift to Enterprise Agents
The organizations that win the next phase of the AI race will be those that spend the coming year building AI agents to handle complex, multistep processes, not just to address ad hoc opportunities.
For example, many companies have found that AI-assisted coding has made their developers 10 times more productive. If that’s you, congratulations! But also, look around: Your security and compliance teams are probably looking at a giant backlog of reviews for all that code. And your sales and finance teams might still be waiting weeks for legal review on contracts that an agentic AI system could have flagged on Day 1.
In 2026, organizations should begin implementing agentic systems that manage end-to-end processes, such as overseeing the B2B sales cycle or coordinating product delivery from the warehouse to the doorstep.
Crucially, these agents should serve as connective tissue between teams, handling the administrative work and streamlining review cycles that can create bottlenecks.
Data Context Is Everything
Your AI is only as smart as the data it can access. Right now, critical context is spread across different systems that don’t talk to each other. AI might be able to write flawless Python code, but if it can’t access design decisions recorded in a wiki, compliance requirements buried in a Slack thread and a customer data model that exists only in the company’s customer relationship management (CRM) solution, the code might be technically correct but strategically useless.
The challenge is that business data typically resides across countless disconnected systems, making it largely inaccessible. That fragmented data landscape is the primary barrier preventing companies from unlocking the full potential of AI. To address it, companies will need to build data architectures that can support the AI investments they’re already making.
If you prioritize building unified data and context frameworks, you’ll benefit from faster deployments of AI and agentic systems and reduced security risk. And that context will give you the power to leverage organizational knowledge across your entire technology stack.
Reimaging? Or Just Automating?
The gap between AI leaders and followers in 2026 comes down to this question: Are you reimagining the way work gets done, or are you just finding ways to automate the old ways?
Strategic advantage in AI comes from systematically integrating agentic capabilities into core business operations, rather than allowing disparate teams to address point solutions haphazardly.
The organizations that pull ahead over the next year will be the ones that build the proper foundation. Implement governance that enables experimentation. Build agents that connect teams, not just automate tasks. Unify your data architecture. Accomplish these three things, and you will compound your 2025 gains into lasting competitive advantage.
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