Microsoft previews Autopilot AI agent, formerly Scout, for enterprises

Microsoft has just rolled out a preview of Autopilot, its persistent AI agent formerly known as Scout. Built on the OpenClaw runtime, it adds local inference, file transfer, and a Code mode via an OpenClaw gateway.

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TL;DR

  • Preview rollout: Microsoft Autopilot began reaching first customers; announced September 25, 2026
  • Product naming: Previously called Scout; announcement and materials now use Autopilot
  • Architecture: Built on OpenClaw; OpenClaw Foundation contributed an enterprise-grade runtime
  • Collaboration timeline: Microsoft and OpenClaw team worked since March for large-scale deployments
  • Capabilities: Local inference, file transfer, and code mode via machines connected to an OpenClaw gateway
  • Agent and UI: Autopilot named Sebastian; UI groups Home, Code, Autopilot under one Copilot story

Microsoft has begun rolling out a preview of Microsoft Autopilot to its first customers, according to an announcement on September 25, 2026. The product, previously known as Scout, is described by Microsoft as “a persistent, proactive and personal agent that keeps working even when you’re not.”

Omar Shahine’s team leads development of Autopilot. Shahine states that the agent is built on OpenClaw, with contributions from Peter Steinberger and the OpenClaw Foundation toward an enterprise-grade runtime.

Steinberger claims Microsoft and the OpenClaw team have worked together since March to prepare the codebase for large-scale deployments. He also characterizes Microsoft as an open-source contributor and highlights security and reliability work completed during the collaboration.

The listed capabilities include local inference, file transfer and code mode on machines connected to an OpenClaw gateway. Steinberger also mentions CLAW profiles, which are intended to speed up the creation of new agents.

Shahine’s Autopilot is named Sebastian. The application window identifies it as “Sebastian (Omar’s Autopilot)” and labels Sebastian as an “AI agent.” Its interface groups Home, Code and Autopilot under a single Copilot story. A message within the interface links to Microsoft’s “Introducing the new Copilot with Home, Code and Autopilot” blog post.

Sebastian describes Home, Code and Autopilot as being “out in the world under one Copilot story.” Shahine refers to Sebastian as “your Autopilot” and “my Autopilot,” while the agent responds, “Sebastian—your Autopilot.”

Steinberger later identified the product as Scout in a reply, although the announcement and supporting material now use the Autopilot name.

Source: Peter Steinberger on X

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