Microsoft is working on a personal assistant for work

Microsoft is working on a new personal assistant for work. The program would be intended for Windows Phone and Microsoft would already be testing it internally, it became clear on Friday.

The program is called ‘Work Assistant’ and has appeared as a prototype in the Windows Phone Store. According to ZDNet’s usually knowledgeable Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, the assistant helps Windows Phone users complete business tasks. It’s just not clear which one it is.

Information from the Microsoft watcher shows that a separate software branch of Microsoft is working on the assistant. Founder Bill Gates would also be involved in that development. He recently reported on Reddit that he is working on a “personal agent.”

Microsoft has been working on the personal assistant for some time, which according to Jo Foley may bring Cortana functionality to Office apps. The app only works on Windows Phone 8.1 and higher and requires at least access to things like the calendar and contacts.