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From RPA to Agentic Automation: Getting Hands-On with Computer Using Agents
Register nowOct 26th, 9:00AM
About
WHAT
Ever wished you could automate a desktop task just by asking for it - no flow designer, no selectors, no scripting? Welcome to Computer Using Agents (CUA), Microsoft’s next evolution of automation in Copilot Studio. CUAs are AI-powered virtual agents that can operate real user interfaces through natural language, combining the flexibility of AI with the reliability of automation.
In this session, we’ll explore what CUAs are, how they compare to traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and - most importantly - when to use which. While RPA shines for predictable, rule-based flows, CUAs thrive in non-deterministic scenarios where user interfaces are unstable or decision-making requires AI reasoning.
WHY
Not every UI-based process fits neatly into the RPA model. And that’s where CUAs step in. As Microsoft brings this technology to general availability, understanding its sweet spots and limitations will be critical for Power Platform architects, automation developers, and business solution designers. This session will help you choose the right automation approach for each scenario - whether that’s Power Automate Desktop or Copilot Studio’s new AI agents.
By seeing CUAs in action, you’ll understand how they fill automation gaps, where they still fall short, and how they complement your existing Power Automate and Copilot investments.
HOW
Slides will be kept to a minimum and demos will take the front and center. After a lightning-fast introduction to CUA concepts and setup, we’ll jump into live demonstrations showing CUAs performing real tasks on virtual machines from navigating complex UIs to handling edge cases where RPA typically struggles. You’ll see:
- How to configure and prompt a CUA in Copilot Studio
- How CUAs differ from and integrate with RPA flows
- Real-world examples of when an agentic approach is better than traditional automation
- Cases when they don't work and RPA is a better tool for the job instead
The session will close with a practical framework to help you evaluate when to use RPA, CUA, or a hybrid approach in your automation strategy.
TAKEAWAYS
After attending this session, you’ll:
- Understand what Computer Using Agents are and how they extend the Power Platform automation toolkit
- Know when to choose CUA vs. RPA, and when a hybrid approach makes sense
- See CUAs in action through real, live demos
- Be able to design automation strategies that handle both deterministic and non-deterministic UI processes
- Walk away inspired and ready to experiment with the next generation of AI-driven automation in Microsoft Copilot Studio
Ever wished you could automate a desktop task just by asking for it - no flow designer, no selectors, no scripting? Welcome to Computer Using Agents (CUA), Microsoft’s next evolution of automation in Copilot Studio. CUAs are AI-powered virtual agents that can operate real user interfaces through natural language, combining the flexibility of AI with the reliability of automation.
In this session, we’ll explore what CUAs are, how they compare to traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and - most importantly - when to use which. While RPA shines for predictable, rule-based flows, CUAs thrive in non-deterministic scenarios where user interfaces are unstable or decision-making requires AI reasoning.
WHY
Not every UI-based process fits neatly into the RPA model. And that’s where CUAs step in. As Microsoft brings this technology to general availability, understanding its sweet spots and limitations will be critical for Power Platform architects, automation developers, and business solution designers. This session will help you choose the right automation approach for each scenario - whether that’s Power Automate Desktop or Copilot Studio’s new AI agents.
By seeing CUAs in action, you’ll understand how they fill automation gaps, where they still fall short, and how they complement your existing Power Automate and Copilot investments.
HOW
Slides will be kept to a minimum and demos will take the front and center. After a lightning-fast introduction to CUA concepts and setup, we’ll jump into live demonstrations showing CUAs performing real tasks on virtual machines from navigating complex UIs to handling edge cases where RPA typically struggles. You’ll see:
- How to configure and prompt a CUA in Copilot Studio
- How CUAs differ from and integrate with RPA flows
- Real-world examples of when an agentic approach is better than traditional automation
- Cases when they don't work and RPA is a better tool for the job instead
The session will close with a practical framework to help you evaluate when to use RPA, CUA, or a hybrid approach in your automation strategy.
TAKEAWAYS
After attending this session, you’ll:
- Understand what Computer Using Agents are and how they extend the Power Platform automation toolkit
- Know when to choose CUA vs. RPA, and when a hybrid approach makes sense
- See CUAs in action through real, live demos
- Be able to design automation strategies that handle both deterministic and non-deterministic UI processes
- Walk away inspired and ready to experiment with the next generation of AI-driven automation in Microsoft Copilot Studio
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