MC1150671 – (Updated) Microsoft Viva : News AI audio briefing in Connections Mobile

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Connections, Teams

Platform:

Android, iOS, mobile, Online, US Instances, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

498233

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Viva Connections mobile will introduce an AI audio briefing feature providing summaries of top news with playback controls. Available to users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, it rolls out from late September 2025 to mid-February 2026, enabled by default with no configuration needed.

Details:
Updated December 17, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
We're introducing a new AI audio briefing feature in Viva Connections for Teams mobile (iOS and Android). This feature provides users with a quick, AI-generated summary of top news items in their news feed, with playback controls such as play, pause, and speed adjustment. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to access this feature.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 498233.
When this will happen
General Availability: We will begin rolling out late September 2025 (previously mid-September) and complete by mid-February 2026 (previously end-November 2025).

Change Category:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Scope:
XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-09-10

updated:
2025-12-18

Task Type

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Docu to Check

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS How does it affect me

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS Preperations

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS Urgency

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

MS workload name

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

linked item details

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

summary for non-techies**

XXXXXXX ... free basic plan only

Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Disruption
The introduction of the AI audio briefing feature without prior user training may lead to confusion among users unfamiliar with the new functionality, potentially resulting in decreased productivity as users struggle to adapt to the new interface and features.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498233

Increased Support Requests
The automatic rollout of the new feature may lead to an influx of support requests from users experiencing issues or seeking assistance with the AI audio briefing, overwhelming IT support resources and impacting response times.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Operators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498233

Configutation Options**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

Data Protection**

XXXXXXX ... paid membership only

explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is introducing a new feature to its Viva Connections mobile app, which will allow users to listen to AI-generated audio briefings of top news items. Think of it like having a personal news assistant who reads out the most important headlines to you while you're on the go. This feature is designed to make it easier for users to stay informed without having to read through lengthy articles, similar to how you might listen to a podcast or an audiobook while commuting.

This new capability will be available to users who have a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. The rollout will start in late September 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-February 2026. Once available, the feature will be automatically enabled, so users won't need to do anything to set it up. It's like receiving a new app update that enhances your experience without requiring any extra steps from you.

The AI audio briefing will provide a summary of the top 10 news items, playing them one after the other. This is akin to having a playlist of news clips that you can listen to while multitasking, whether you're driving, exercising, or simply relaxing. Users will have playback controls, such as play, pause, and speed adjustment, allowing them to customize their listening experience just like they would with a music app.

For organizations, this means there's no need to prepare any technical configurations. However, it might be beneficial to inform employees about this new feature and how it can help them stay updated with the latest news in a convenient, hands-free manner. This could be particularly useful for those who have busy schedules and prefer to consume information audibly rather than visually.

In terms of compliance, this feature introduces a new way for users to interact with generative AI, offering a different mode of engaging with content through audio. This aligns with the growing trend of integrating AI into everyday tools to enhance productivity and user experience.