Cerence, a global leader in conversational AI-powered user experiences, announced the launch of a new mobile work AI agent developed in close collaboration with Microsoft. This innovative AI agent, built on Cerence xUI™, the company’s agentic AI assistant platform, integrates Microsoft 365 Copilot to provide voice-first access to Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneNote, and Copilot functionalities. Designed for in-vehicle use, the mobile work agent allows professionals to work safely and efficiently while on the move, combining proactive task management with a seamless, context-aware user experience.
With Cerence xUI’s automotive-grade, agentic architecture, the AI agent orchestrates between Microsoft 365 Copilot and other domains, such as navigation, to deliver a cohesive, multi-modal interaction. Since early 2024, Cerence AI has partnered with Microsoft to implement automotive-grade AI solutions in millions of vehicles, offering users access to ChatGPT via Microsoft Azure OpenAI in AI Foundry Models. Automotive OEMs including Renault, Volkswagen, Audi, Cupra, Seat, and Skoda have leveraged Cerence AI’s deep automotive expertise alongside Microsoft’s cloud and AI capabilities.
Additionally, Cerence AI developed and optimized CaLLM™ Edge, an embedded small language model (SLM) tailored for vehicles. Built in collaboration with Microsoft, CaLLM™ Edge combines Microsoft’s Phi-3 SLMs with Cerence’s automotive datasets to deliver highly specialized AI capable of handling diverse automotive use cases.
As commuting by car remains common for millions of workers, distracted driving continues to pose a safety risk, often linked to smartphone use behind the wheel. Cerence AI aims to mitigate these risks by enabling professionals to manage tasks safely while driving and empowering OEMs to deliver enhanced, secure in-car experiences.
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“We’ve all been there – you’re driving, and your phone is dinging as new emails and chats come in. You very quickly start to feel like you’re falling behind,” said Cerence AI Chief Revenue Officer, Christian Mentz. “For most people, unfortunately, the instinct is to then check their phone while driving. With our new mobile work AI agent and its integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot services, we will help to minimize this impulse through a natural, voice-first experience that doesn’t compromise safety or security. The focus isn’t maximizing productivity; it’s recognizing the need for technology that supports smarter, safer work in a world that is increasingly mobile.”
Cerence xUI enables natural, hands-free interaction, reducing the need for visual engagement and manual input to limit driver distractions. The mobile work AI agent integrates deeply with vehicle systems and leverages xUI’s orchestration across multiple automotive-grade AI agents. For example, it can provide proactive navigation guidance aligned with users’ work schedules while adjusting functionality based on driving status whether behind the wheel, in an autonomous vehicle, or parked to ensure maximum safety.
Users can collaborate with the AI agent to draft messages, build meeting agendas, and expand notes from OneNote into full documents, all via voice. The agent also provides daily overviews, morning debriefs, and context-aware calendar management through Microsoft 365 Copilot, learning preferences over time to personalize interactions, such as pausing conversations during designated quiet periods.
Enterprise and OEM Advantages
Traditional vehicles are often not treated as secure devices by corporate IT, restricting access to Microsoft 365 tools. By integrating with Microsoft Intune, Cerence AI’s mobile work agent transforms vehicles into managed, trusted devices with compliant access to enterprise applications.
For automakers, the in-vehicle Microsoft 365 Copilot experience offers a premium differentiator that can scale across vehicle segments and markets. Through Cerence xUI’s flexible platform, automakers can deliver a branded Microsoft 365 Copilot experience, whether in flagship models or mass-market vehicles.
“Our collaboration with Cerence AI will bring Microsoft 365 Copilot into the car, enabling drivers to stay connected without compromising safety or compliance,” said Dayan Rodriguez, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Global Manufacturing and Mobility. “With secure, voice-first access to trusted tools, we’re helping people manage their day more effectively whether it’s staying informed, coordinating schedules, or making quick decisions on the go. It’s not about doing more work it’s about optimizing for busy lives in a safe, seamless way.”
