check before: 2025-09-30
Product:
Copilot, Copilot Chat, Entra, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Purview Communication Compliance
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Feature update, Updated message
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot Search admin experience is expanding to AI Admin and Global Reader roles, allowing designated admins to manage or view Copilot Search settings. This rollout begins late September 2025, is enabled by default for eligible tenants, and access is controlled via Microsoft Entra ID.
Details:
Updated September 17, 2025: We have updated the title and content. Thank you for your patience.
We're expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot Search capabilities within Microsoft 365 Admin Center to AI admin and Global reader roles. This is to provide organizations with enhanced control and flexibility in managing AI-powered search experiences. AI admin role enables designated admins to configure, monitor, and govern Copilot Search capabilities across their tenant. Global reader roles provide read-only capabilities to Acronyms and Bookmarks configuration in Copilot Search.
When this will happen:
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins late September 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-09-13
updated:
2025-09-18
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Access Control Changes
The introduction of AI Admin and Global Reader roles may lead to unauthorized access if roles are not properly assigned, potentially exposing sensitive data to users without adequate permissions.
- roles: AI Admin, Global Reader
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
Data Presentation Alterations
AI-powered search may change how data is accessed and presented to users, leading to confusion or misinterpretation of information if users are not prepared for these changes.
- roles: End Users, Data Analysts
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
User Experience Disruption
Without preparation, users may face disruptions in their workflow due to the new AI-powered search capabilities, which could lead to decreased productivity and frustration.
- roles: End Users, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Role-Based Access Control
The introduction of the AI Admin and Global Reader roles allows for more granular control over who can manage and view Copilot Search settings. This can enhance security and compliance by ensuring that only designated personnel have access to sensitive configurations, reducing the risk of unauthorized changes.
- next-steps: Review and update current role assignments in Microsoft Entra ID to ensure that the right individuals are designated as AI Admins and Global Readers. Conduct training sessions for these roles to ensure they understand their responsibilities.
- roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, Security Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
Improved User Experience with AI-Powered Search
By expanding the Copilot Search capabilities to designated roles, organizations can ensure that users receive a more tailored and effective search experience. AI Admins can optimize search settings based on user feedback and usage patterns, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.
- next-steps: Gather user feedback on current search experiences and identify areas for improvement. Use this feedback to inform AI Admins on how to configure Copilot Search settings for better user experience.
- roles: End Users, Product Managers, IT Support
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
Streamlined Compliance Monitoring
While there are no new governance capabilities introduced, the ability for AI Admins to manage existing configurations for Acronyms and Bookmarks can streamline compliance monitoring. This can help ensure that all AI-powered search features align with organizational compliance policies.
- next-steps: Establish a compliance checklist that includes regular reviews of Acronyms and Bookmarks configurations. Schedule periodic audits to ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- roles: Compliance Officers, IT Administrators, Risk Management Teams
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-admin-roles?view=o365-worldwide
Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-09-18 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, Admin impact | Updated message, Feature update, Admin impact |
| 2025-09-18 | MC Summary | Microsoft 365 is introducing an AI Admin Role for Copilot Search, enabling designated admins to manage AI-powered search across tenants. Rolling out worldwide mid-September 2025, it’s on by default for eligible licenses. Admin access is controlled via Microsoft Entra ID, enhancing governance and compliance monitoring. | Microsoft 365 Copilot Search admin experience is expanding to AI Admin and Global Reader roles, allowing designated admins to manage or view Copilot Search settings. This rollout begins late September 2025, is enabled by default for eligible tenants, and access is controlled via Microsoft Entra ID. |
| 2025-09-18 | MC Last Updated | 09/13/2025 01:10:27 | 2025-09-17T23:49:16Z |
| 2025-09-18 | MC Messages | We're introducing a new AI Admin Role for Microsoft 365 Copilot Search to provide organizations with enhanced control and flexibility in managing AI-powered search experiences. This role enables designated admins to configure, monitor, and govern Copilot Search capabilities across their tenant.
When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins mid-September 2025 and is expected to complete by September 22, 2025. | Updated September 17, 2025: We have updated the title and content. Thank you for your patience.
We're expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot Search capabilities within Microsoft 365 Admin Center to AI admin and Global reader roles. This is to provide organizations with enhanced control and flexibility in managing AI-powered search experiences. AI admin role enables designated admins to configure, monitor, and govern Copilot Search capabilities across their tenant. Global reader roles provide read-only capabilities to Acronyms and Bookmarks configuration in Copilot Search. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout begins late September 2025. |
| 2025-09-18 | MC Title | Expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot Search admin experience to AI admin role | (Updated) Expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot Search admin experience to AI admin role |
| 2025-09-18 | MC How Affect | Admins assigned the new AI Admin Role will be able to manage Copilot Search settings and capabilities for their organization.
This feature is on by default for tenants with eligible licenses and assigned roles. No changes will be made to existing admin roles unless explicitly assigned. What you can do to prepare: Ensure that designated admins are assigned the AI Admin Role. Confirm that your organization has the Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Review role assignment practices in Microsoft Entra ID to manage access. Learn more: About admin roles in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn Compliance considerations: Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? Yes. This update introduces the AI Admin Role, which enables designated administrators to manage AI-powered Copilot Search experiences that interact with customer data across Microsoft 365 services. Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed (e.g., documents, emails, chats, etc.)?Yes. AI-powered search may surface data across services based on user permissions, potentially altering how data is accessed and presented. =Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? Yes. Copilot Search enhances the user experience by enabling generative AI-powered search capabilities across Microsoft 365. Does the change alter how admins can monitor, report on, or demonstrate compliance activities (e.g., Purview or admin reporting)?Yes. The AI Admin Role includes new governance and monitoring capabilities for Copilot Search, allowing admins to oversee AI interactions and usage. Does the change include an admin control and can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership? Yes. Admin access to Copilot Search capabilities is managed via the AI Admin Role, which can be assigned and controlled through Microsoft Entra ID group membership. | Admins assigned AI Admin Role will be able to manage Copilot Search settings and capabilities for their organization.
Admins assigned Global Reader Role will be able to have read-only capability Copilot Search settings for their organization. This feature is on by default for tenants with eligible licenses and assigned roles. No changes will be made to existing admin roles unless explicitly assigned. What you can do to prepare: Ensure that designated admins are assigned the AI Admin Role and Global Reader role. Confirm that your organization has the Microsoft 365 Copilot license. Review role assignment practices in Microsoft Entra ID to manage access. Learn more: About admin roles in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn Compliance considerations: Does the change introduce or significantly modify AI/ML or agent capabilities that interact with or provide access to customer data? Yes. This update introduces the AI Admin Role and Global reader role, which enables designated administrators to manage or give read-only capability to AI-powered Copilot Search experiences that interact with customer data across Microsoft 365 services. Does the change alter how existing customer data is processed, stored, or accessed (e.g., documents, emails, chats, etc.)?Yes. AI-powered search may surface data across services based on user permissions, potentially altering how data is accessed and presented. =Does the change provide end users any new way of interacting with generative AI? Yes. Copilot Search enhances the user experience by enabling generative AI-powered search capabilities across Microsoft 365. Does the change alter how admins can monitor, report on, or demonstrate compliance activities (e.g., Purview or admin reporting)?No. There is no new governance and monitoring capabilities for Copilot Search. But, with this role AI admins will be able to manage the existing Acronyms and Bookmark configurations with Copilot Search. Global Reader will give them read-only capabilities to the same. Does the change include an admin control, and can it be controlled through Entra ID group membership? Yes. AI Admin Role and Global Reader access to Copilot Search capabilities can be assigned and controlled through Microsoft Entra ID group membership. |
Last updated 2 weeks ago ago
