Microsoft Build 2026 Preview: AI Agents Take the Spotlight

As Build 2026 looms, expectations center on a heavy AI push: Copilot is evolving into async agents that can execute long-running tasks across apps, Agent Mode has become the default in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and OpenClaw-era buzz is likely to surface; rumors include new GitHub Copilot coding models and a potential Windows 12 reveal, with Xbox topics appearing unlikely. Satya Nadella will keynote on June 2, and the event will be largely streamed for free on YouTube while in-person tickets approach $1,100.