check before: 2025-05-30
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Outlook, Teams
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Analyst and Researcher agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users will be generally available starting May 30, 2025. These agents offer advanced research and data analysis capabilities. They will be accessible globally, managed via the Microsoft 365 admin center, and available in multiple languages. No additional admin action is required.
Details:
Updated June 4, 2025: We have updated the content below to provide additional information. Thank you for your feedback.
We're excited to announce the general availability (GA) of the Analyst and Researcher agents. As shared in MC1041319, the Analyst and Researcher agents began rolling out in May 2025 to Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users under the Frontier program.
What's New:
Starting May 30, 2025, the Analyst and Researcher agents will be generally available for Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed users as part of the Copilot experience.
Researcher: Combines OpenAI's deep research model with Copilot's advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities to help users tackle complex, multi-step research at work. It can simultaneously reason over work and web data, including third-party data via connectors or data pulled in from other agents, for its response.
Analyst: Leverages OpenAI's o3-mini reasoning model and is optimized to do advanced data analysis at work. Analyst uses chain-of-thought reasoning to progress through problems iteratively, taking as many steps as necessary to refine its reasoning and provide a high-quality answer that mirrors human analytical thinking. It can run Python to tackle complex data queries, and users can view the code it's running in real time and check its work.
What's changing:
The Analyst and Researcher agents will transition out of the Frontier preview program and become generally available globally.
They will appear at the top of the agent list in Microsoft 365 chat for Copilot-licensed users.
Researcher will initially be available in 37 languages, while Analyst will support 8.
These agents can be managed via the Microsoft 365 admin center, refer to Manage agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn. To Block Researcher or Analyst for everyone in your organizations see Block or Unblock Agents.
[When this will happen:]
General availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out Friday, May 30, 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-05-30
updated:
2025-06-05
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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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft is launching Researcher and Analyst agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot users, designed to assist with complex research and data analysis by leveraging AI to synthesize information and perform advanced data queries, including writing and running Python code.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Access Issues
Users without a Microsoft 365 Copilot license will not be able to access the new Researcher and Analyst agents, leading to frustration and potential productivity loss for those who need these tools.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
Increased Support Requests
The introduction of new agents may lead to an increase in support requests from users unfamiliar with the new features, impacting IT support resources and response times.
- roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
Training and Adoption Challenges
Without proper preparation and training, users may struggle to effectively utilize the new Researcher and Analyst agents, leading to underutilization of the tools and decreased overall productivity.
- roles: Training Coordinators, End Users
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Research Capabilities
The introduction of the Researcher agent allows users to perform complex, multi-step research tasks efficiently by integrating various data sources. This will significantly reduce the time spent on research activities, enhancing productivity and enabling more informed decision-making.
- next-steps: Conduct training sessions for end-users to familiarize them with the Researcher agent's capabilities and best practices for effective usage.
- roles: Researchers, Analysts, Project Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
Advanced Data Analysis
The Analyst agent provides advanced data analysis capabilities, allowing users to run Python scripts and view the code in real-time. This feature can empower data-driven roles to derive insights more effectively and enhance analytical workflows.
- next-steps: Organize workshops to demonstrate the Analyst agent's features, focusing on how to utilize Python for data analysis and interpretation.
- roles: Data Analysts, Business Analysts, Finance Teams
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
Streamlined IT Management
Managing the Researcher and Analyst agents through the Microsoft 365 admin center simplifies IT operations, allowing for easier control over agent access and settings. This reduces administrative overhead and improves governance.
- next-steps: Review current IT management practices and update policies to incorporate the new agent management features, ensuring compliance and optimal usage.
- roles: IT Administrators, Compliance Officers, System Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents
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 |
| 2025-06-05 | MC prepare | No further admin action is necessary to use Analyst and Researcher.
To Block Researcher or Analyst for everyone in your organizations see Block or Unblock Agents. If more broadly, you want to disable all agents in Copilot for everyone, or a specific set of users, see Enable or Disable Copilot Extensibility. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#enable-or-disable-copilot-extensibility | No additional admin action is required.
For managing these agents via Microsoft 365 admin center, refer to Manage agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn. https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agents https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/admin/manage/manage-copilot-agents-integrated-apps?view=o365-worldwide#block-or-unblock-agentsG%2Bxlh%2BQ%3D&reserved=0 |
| 2025-06-05 | MC Summary | Analyst and Researcher agents will be generally available for Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users starting May 30, 2025. These agents will transition out of the Frontier preview program, appearing at the top of the agent list with no changes in functionality. No admin action is needed to use them. | Analyst and Researcher agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users will be generally available starting May 30, 2025. These agents offer advanced research and data analysis capabilities. They will be accessible globally, managed via the Microsoft 365 admin center, and available in multiple languages. No additional admin action is required. |
| 2025-06-05 | MC Last Updated | 05/30/2025 08:36:24 | 2025-06-05T00:12:12Z |
| 2025-06-05 | MC Messages | We're excited to announce the general availability (GA) of the Analyst and Researcher agents. As noted in MC1041319, the Analyst and Researcher agents began rolling out in May 2025 to Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users under the Frontier program.
Beginning May 30, 2025, the Analyst and Researcher agents will be generally available for Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed users as part of the Copilot experience. Researcher: Combines OpenAI's deep research model with Copilot's advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities to help users tackle complex, multi-step research at work. It can simultaneously reason over work and web data, including third-party data via connectors or data pulled in from other agents, for its response. Analyst: Leverages OpenAI's o3-mini reasoning model and is optimized to do advanced data analysis at work. Analyst uses chain-of-thought reasoning to progress through problems iteratively, taking as many steps as necessary to refine its reasoning and provide a high-quality answer that mirrors human analytical thinking. It can run Python to tackle complex data queries, and users can view the code it's running in real time and check its work. What's changing: The agents will transition out of the Frontier preview program and become generally available globally. The agents will automatically appear at the top of the agent list for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. There are no changes to the functionality of the agent. Researcher will initially be available in 37 languages, while Analyst will support 8. Like other agents, these agents may be managed in the admin center. [When this will happen:] General availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out Friday, May 30, 2025. | Updated June 4, 2025: We have updated the content below to provide additional information. Thank you for your feedback.
We're excited to announce the general availability (GA) of the Analyst and Researcher agents. As shared in MC1041319, the Analyst and Researcher agents began rolling out in May 2025 to Microsoft 365 Copilot-licensed users under the Frontier program. What's New: Starting May 30, 2025, the Analyst and Researcher agents will be generally available for Microsoft 365 Copilot licensed users as part of the Copilot experience. Researcher: Combines OpenAI's deep research model with Copilot's advanced orchestration and deep search capabilities to help users tackle complex, multi-step research at work. It can simultaneously reason over work and web data, including third-party data via connectors or data pulled in from other agents, for its response. Analyst: Leverages OpenAI's o3-mini reasoning model and is optimized to do advanced data analysis at work. Analyst uses chain-of-thought reasoning to progress through problems iteratively, taking as many steps as necessary to refine its reasoning and provide a high-quality answer that mirrors human analytical thinking. It can run Python to tackle complex data queries, and users can view the code it's running in real time and check its work. What's changing: The Analyst and Researcher agents will transition out of the Frontier preview program and become generally available globally. They will appear at the top of the agent list in Microsoft 365 chat for Copilot-licensed users. Researcher will initially be available in 37 languages, while Analyst will support 8. These agents can be managed via the Microsoft 365 admin center, refer to Manage agents for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the Microsoft 365 admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn. To Block Researcher or Analyst for everyone in your organizations see Block or Unblock Agents. [When this will happen:] General availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out Friday, May 30, 2025. |
| 2025-06-05 | MC Title | Researcher and Analyst moving to General Availability | (Updated) Researcher and Analyst moving to General Availability |
| 2025-06-05 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
Last updated 2 weeks ago
