AI Agents vs Automation: Hype, Reality, and How to Choose the Right Approach

AI agents and traditional automation play different, yet often complementary, roles in Microsoft 365. However, the concepts are frequently mixed together, making it difficult to know when to use which approach. In this session, we break down the differences between AI agents and automation. We compare how they work, the types of problems they are best suited for, and common pitfalls to avoid. To bring the comparison to life, we use an energetic live role‑play where one of us embodies the Agent and the other the Automation. You will leave the session with a clearer mental model and guidelines for choosing the right approach when building solutions in Microsoft 365.

Key Takeaways

• The core differences between AI agents and traditional automation in Microsoft 365 
• Which problem types are best suited for each approach 
• When AI and automation complement each other
• How to avoid common misunderstandings

We’re colleagues Sabrina and Delia, and these are the kinds of decisions we battle every day. Delia spends most of her time working with AI agents, while Sabrina lives and breathes automation. Together, we design and build Microsoft 365 solutions and constantly navigate the trade‑offs between these approaches.