Observed Signal · Mar 16, 2026 · Technical Release · Source: https://martechseries.com/feed/ · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
EPC Group Unveils Advanced AI Framework for Power BI
EPC Group announced a new enterprise AI architecture that extends Microsoft Power BI’s Copilot with five additional AI layers, creating a six-layer decision intelligence framework. The architecture integrates Copilot for Power BI with Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Claude, Perplexity, automated machine learning (AutoML) in Microsoft Fabric dataflows, Microsoft Cognitive Services, native AI visuals, and open-source models such as Meta Llama and Mistral. The design enables predictive analytics, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agentic AI workflows, automated narrative explanations, and governed conversational access to enterprise data. EPC Group will deliver the solution through its Power BI and Microsoft Fabric consulting services and cites more than 1,500 Power BI implementations and over 5,200 Microsoft platform deployments worldwide.
Announces a multi-model AI architecture that extends Power BI with LLM integrations and governed analytics—relevant to enterprise analytics and MarTech teams but not a major platform-level policy or industry-shifting change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- EPC Group announced an expanded enterprise AI architecture that extends Copilot for Power BI with five additional AI intelligence layers, forming a six-layer decision intelligence framework.
- The architecture integrates Copilot for Power BI with Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Claude, Perplexity, AutoML (in Microsoft Fabric dataflows), Microsoft Cognitive Services, native AI visuals, and open-source models including Meta Llama and Mistral.
- The six layers cover: Copilot for Power BI; native AI visuals; automated machine learning in Fabric dataflows; large language model and agentic AI integration (including RAG and vector search); Microsoft Cognitive Services enrichment; and automated insights and forecasting.
- EPC Group will deliver the architecture via its Power BI and Microsoft Fabric consulting services and reports completing more than 1,500 Power BI implementations and over 5,200 Microsoft platform deployments worldwide.
- Errin O’Connor is named as Founder and Chief AI Architect of EPC Group and is quoted describing the multi-layer architecture.
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Microsoft Adds Multi-Model Tools to M365 Copilot
Microsoft has added two multi-model systems—Model Council and Critique—to M365 Copilot, announced by CEO Satya Nadella. Model Council runs the same user prompt concurrently across models (notably OpenAI and Anthropic) to produce separate standalone reports; a judging model then highlights overlaps and differences for Microsoft 365 Researcher users. Critique separates report generation and evaluation so one model drafts content while another reviews, fact-checks and refines it. Microsoft cites DRACO-Benchmark results (using OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 as LLM judge) claiming Critique outperforms comparable deep‑research tools such as Perplexity Deep Research, Gemini Deep Research and OpenAI Deep Research. The features are being rolled out via Microsoft’s Frontier program; Microsoft 365 apps also gain a Copilot Cowork function for delegating multiple tasks. The article was published on t3n as a content cooperation with OnlineMarketing.de.
Copilot Cowork: AI Handles Microsoft 365 Tasks
Microsoft is expanding its 365 Copilot with Copilot Cowork, an AI feature that can automatically generate and execute work plans across Outlook, Teams, and Excel. It analyzes data from emails, files, meetings, and documents, creating milestones, tracking progress, and requesting decisions as needed. Copilot Cowork aims to move beyond chat-style support to autonomous task execution, using a system called Work IQ to orchestrate workflows across apps. The solution can prepare briefs, presentations, and analyses for meetings and product launches, and can perform enterprise research and financial analyses. It is currently being tested with select customers, with wider availability planned for the end of March 2026 via the Frontier program. The article also notes Microsoft’s broader use of multi-model AI, including Claude from Anthropic, within Copilot Studio and related tools, all operating under Microsoft 365 security and governance controls.
Microsoft Unveils Premium 365 E7 Plan to Boost AI Sales
Microsoft announced a new top-tier Microsoft 365 bundle, Microsoft 365 E7, that packages Copilot and other enterprise tools and will be available May 1. The E7 subscription is priced at $99 per user per month (vs. $60 for E5 after upcoming price hikes) and bundles a $30 Copilot add-on, $12 Entra identity tools and a new $15 Agent 365 product for managing AI agents. Microsoft is also introducing Copilot Cowork — a multi-step task capability developed with Anthropic — as a research preview for Frontier program customers. The move is intended to drive higher per-seat revenue, demonstrate returns on Microsoft’s >$100 billion data-center AI investments (including Nvidia chips) and accelerate enterprise adoption of Copilot. Executives and analysts highlighted identity and management tooling as critical for safely scaling AI in large organizations.
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