AI Agent for Investment Data - Proof of Concept

By integrating Microsoft Copilot Studio with Snowflake Cortex Analyst, the solution enables users to "talk to their data" directly within Microsoft Teams. The PoC focuses on establishing a secure, conversational interface that leverages a fine-tuned semantic layer to ensure high-accuracy lookups and intuitive data exploration in 1-on-1 chats or meeting rooms. The primary objective of this engagement is to validate the technical feasibility of the Copilot-to-Cloud integration within the Client environment while proactively identifying potential data model constraints. By executing this 6-week pilot, the organization can stress-test agent performance against

Ideal for:

• Asset Management & Investment Teams: Needing instant conversational access to Snowflake-hosted data without leaving Microsoft Teams.
• Data & Analytics Officers:  Looking to validate the feasibility of Cortex and Copilot Studio integration within a secure client environment.
• Operational Leaders: Aiming to reduce the technical barrier for business users to perform complex data queries.

Benefits to Expect:

Validation of Agentic AI Performance:

• Hands-on proof of how AI agents handle domain-specific investment queries.
• Real-world testing of agent quality against existing data models to identify performance gaps early.

Seamless Workflow Integration:

• Elimination of context-switching by bringing data intelligence directly into Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to leverage the agent in both 1-on-1 private chats and collaborative meeting rooms.

High-Precision Data Exploration:

• Improved accuracy of natural language queries (NLQ) through dedicated Semantic Layer tuning.
• Reduction in manual data retrieval time for investment analysts and portfolio managers.

Proactive Risk & Data Quality Assessment:

• Early detection of data quality issues that might affect full-scale AI integration.
• Stress-testing of the current data model to define clear remediation paths before production.

Predictability & Financial Efficiency:

• Transition from discovery to a fixed-price contract model for future modules, ensuring budget alignment.
• Full credit-back of PoC cost toward the subsequent implementation phase, minimizing initial investment risk.

Our Processes:

1. Discovery & Environment Readiness (Week 1)

• Validate assumptions, provision VDI access, and establish Client network/Azure account readiness.
• Finalize the selection of specific data modules and KPIs for the PoC scope.

2. Cortex Semantic Model Tuning (Week 2-5)

• Map source data structures to the Cortex Analyst semantic layer.
• Perform iterative tuning to ensure the AI understands domain-specific financial terminology.

3. Copilot Agent Development (Week 2-5)

• Build the agent using Microsoft Copilot Studio with custom instructions and logic.
• Integrate the agent with Cortex APIs (hosted on Azure) for data retrieval.

4. Teams Integration & Deployment (Week 2-5)

• Package the agent as a Microsoft Teams app, leveraging native Azure infrastructure.
• Configure security guardrails for publishing and access with Entra ID.

5. Testing & Evaluation (Week 6)

• Conduct testing with specific use cases to identify agent or data issues.
• Final review of PoC results and refinement of the transition plan for full rollout.

Deliverables:

1. Experience & Interface

• Copilot Agent App: A Microsoft Teams app enabling conversational querying, optimized for the Client’s Azure tenant.
• Teams Meeting Integration: Capability to invite the agent into 1-1 chats and collaborative environments.

2. Core Technology & Intelligence

• Cortex Integration: Deployed Azure-hosted conversational engine to translate natural language into SQL.
• Semantic Layer: Structured semantic layer within the data platform to provide critical business context and maximize query precision.

3. Documentation & Planning

• PoC Evaluation Report: Summary of challenges identified (data quality, agent performance) and suggested integration paths.
• Refined Implementation Roadmap: A clear plan with pricing and timeline for the next stages or full deployment.

4. Security & Infrastructure

• Secure Deployment: System deployed within the Client environment following standard access and governance protocols.
Architecture Diagram: Secure data flow between Copilot Studio and the Azure data environment.

The mentioned price is an estimate and may vary depending on various factors.