496363 – Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Agent-Level Controls for Pay-as-you-go

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot, SharePoint

Platform:

Web, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

Links:

Details:

This feature introduces admin controls for managing AI agents on a consumption basis within Microsoft 365 Copilot. Administrators can specify which users can access particular agents through pay-as-you-go, control which agents are available for metered consumption, and establish billing policy for each agent. Initially focusing on declarative agents in M365 Copilot Chat and SharePoint, this enhancement enables organizations to effectively manage AI consumption costs and scale intelligent capabilities according to business needs. #copilotcontrolsystem

Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-06-11

updated:
2026-01-22

Public Preview Start Date

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Docu to Check

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS workload name

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

summary for non-techies**

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Direct effects for Operations**

Access Control Issues
Without proper preparation, users may gain unauthorized access to AI agents, leading to potential misuse of resources and data.
   - roles: IT Administrator, End User
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-admin-center-blog/introducing-agent-level-controls-for-pay-as-you-go-in-microsoft/ba-p/1234567

Billing Mismanagement
If changes are implemented without preparation, organizations may face unexpected costs due to uncontrolled usage of AI agents, impacting budget planning.
   - roles: Finance Officer, IT Administrator
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2023/10/01/understanding-billing-policies-in-microsoft-365-copilot/

Configutation Options**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

explanation for non-techies**

In the world of Microsoft 365, a new feature is being introduced that allows administrators to have more control over AI agents, like those found in Microsoft 365 Copilot. Think of these AI agents as digital assistants that help with tasks in applications like SharePoint and M365 Copilot Chat.

Imagine you're running a law firm or a business, and you have a team of assistants who help with various tasks. Now, instead of paying all your assistants a fixed salary, you decide to pay them based on the amount of work they do. This is similar to the "pay-as-you-go" model being introduced for AI agents.

With this feature, administrators can decide which team members (or users) can use specific digital assistants and how much they can use them. It's like deciding which of your assistants can handle certain tasks and how many hours they can work. This way, you can manage costs better by only paying for the assistance you actually need, rather than a flat fee regardless of usage.

Additionally, administrators can set up billing policies for each AI agent. It's like having a budget for each assistant, ensuring that you don't overspend on their services. This control helps organizations manage their expenses while still taking advantage of the AI capabilities that can enhance productivity.

In summary, this new feature in Microsoft 365 allows businesses to have more control over their AI usage and costs, similar to managing a team of assistants based on workload and budget.