check before: 2025-06-06
Product:
Copilot, Delve, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Insights, Microsoft Viva Learning, SharePoint, Workplace Analytics
Platform:
Developer, Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Launched
Change type:
Feature update, User impact, Admin impact
Links:
(MC1060846)
485726
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot: People Skills is now generally available, enhancing user experience with AI-generated skill profiles, a customizable skills library, and skills-driven features across Microsoft 365 apps. The rollout requires no admin action and will be completed by mid-June 2025. Organizations can notify users and update documentation accordingly.
Details:
This message is associated with MC1060846 (Highlight) New Service Plan: People Skills - Advanced (published April 23, 2025).
People Skills is an intelligent data layer that infers skills from user activity mapped to a customizable built-in skill taxonomy, enhancing Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Viva experiences with contextualized information about the people in your organization. Read more: Announcing People Skills general availability and new Skills agent | Microsoft Community Hub
Customers with Microsoft 365 Copilot and the "Microsoft 365 Copilot in Productivity Apps service plan," excluding faculty and student SKUs, will see People Skills available to set up in Microsoft 365 admin center by mid-June 2025.
This message applies to Microsoft 365 Copilot for Windows desktop and for the web as well as the other Windows desktop and web platforms where People Skills appears in profile cards, People Companion, and other Microsoft 365 apps.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 485726.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Available now.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-06-06
updated:
2025-06-06
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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linked item details
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft 365's new People Skills feature uses AI to create dynamic skill profiles based on user activities, allowing for easy skill sharing and identification within organizations, and aiding managers in identifying skill gaps and planning development programs.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Experience Disruption
Users may experience confusion or frustration due to the sudden introduction of AI-generated skills profiles without prior training or communication, leading to potential misinterpretation of their skills.
- roles: End Users, HR Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-overview, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/announcing-people-skills-general-availability-and-new-skills-agent/4406364
Data Privacy Concerns
The automatic inference of skills may raise privacy concerns among users, especially if they are not adequately informed about how their data is being used and shared.
- roles: End Users, Compliance Officers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-sharing-inferencing-controls, https://adoption.microsoft.com/ai-agents/people-skills/
Integration Issues with Existing Systems
The new People Skills feature may conflict with existing skills data in User Profile Application (UPA) or SharePoint, leading to loss of previously established skills visibility.
- roles: IT Administrators, Data Analysts
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-overview, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=485726
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Skill Matching for Projects
Utilizing the AI-generated skill profiles can significantly improve project assignments by ensuring that team members are matched to tasks that align with their strengths and expertise. This can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction as employees work on projects that best fit their skill sets.
- next-steps: Implement training sessions for project managers on how to leverage the skills profiles for effective team assignments. Monitor project outcomes to evaluate the impact of this approach.
- roles: Project Managers, Team Leaders, HR Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-overview, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/announcing-people-skills-general-availability-and-new-skills-agent/4406364
Upskilling Initiatives Based on Skills Analytics
The Skills landscape reports will provide leaders with insights into skill gaps within the organization. This data can be used to tailor upskilling programs, ensuring that training resources are directed where they are most needed, thus optimizing employee development efforts.
- next-steps: Set up a task force to analyze the skills landscape reports post-launch. Collaborate with learning and development teams to create targeted training programs based on the identified skill gaps.
- roles: HR Managers, Learning and Development Specialists, Department Heads
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-sharing-inferencing-controls, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=485726
Improved Internal Networking and Collaboration
The Skills agent will enable employees to easily find colleagues with specific skills, fostering better collaboration and knowledge sharing across teams. This can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger organizational culture.
- next-steps: Promote the use of the Skills agent through internal communications and training sessions. Encourage teams to utilize this tool for cross-departmental projects and initiatives.
- roles: All Employees, Team Leaders, Innovation Managers
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/people-skills-overview, https://adoption.microsoft.com/ai-agents/people-skills/
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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