check before: 2025-06-01
Product:
Copilot, Defender, Microsoft 365 Copilot, OneNote
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
In development
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
We're expanding the Researcher Agent capabilities by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks, allowing complex research across enterprise data sources using OpenAI's model. Rollout begins mid-July 2025 and completes by mid-August 2025. No action is required, but users should be informed of the enhanced research workflows.
Details:
Updated July 9, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
We're expanding the capabilities of the Researcher Agent by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks. This enhancement allows users to conduct complex, multi-step research across enterprise data sources-without leaving the Notebook experience-using OpenAI's deep researcher model with chain-of-thought reasoning.
This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 493288
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-July 2025 (previously late June) and is expected to complete by mid-August 2025 (previously late July).
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-06-21
updated:
2025-07-10
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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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft is integrating the Researcher Agent into Copilot Notebooks, allowing users to conduct complex research across various data sources using OpenAI's advanced AI models, with the rollout scheduled from mid-July to mid-August 2025.
Direct effects for Operations**
Data Access and Security
The integration of the Researcher Agent may lead to unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data if not properly managed, as it will access various data sources for research tasks.
- roles: Data Protection Officer, IT Security Manager
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
User Experience Disruption
Users may experience confusion or disruption in their workflows if they are not informed about the new capabilities and how to utilize them effectively, leading to decreased productivity.
- roles: End User, Team Leader
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
Compliance Risks
The change may introduce compliance risks related to data handling and processing, especially if users are unaware of the new AI/ML capabilities that interact with customer data.
- roles: Compliance Officer, Legal Advisor
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced Research Workflows
The integration of the Researcher Agent into Copilot Notebooks allows for seamless multi-step research across enterprise data sources. This can significantly improve productivity for users engaged in research-intensive tasks, as they can conduct research without switching contexts.
- next-steps: Conduct training sessions and create documentation to inform users about the new capabilities and best practices for utilizing the Researcher Agent within Copilot Notebooks.
- roles: Researchers, Data Analysts, Project Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
Data-Driven Decision Making
With the enhanced capabilities of the Researcher Agent, users can leverage data from multiple sources to inform their decisions more effectively. This can lead to better insights and improved outcomes for projects and initiatives.
- next-steps: Encourage teams to adopt the Researcher Agent for data analysis and decision-making processes, and establish metrics to measure the impact of these insights on project outcomes.
- roles: Executives, Product Managers, Strategic Planners
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
Streamlined IT Operations
The integration may reduce the need for multiple tools and platforms for research tasks, leading to streamlined IT operations and potentially lower administrative overhead in managing these tools.
- next-steps: Evaluate current research tools and platforms in use across the organization to identify opportunities for consolidation and efficiency gains with the new Researcher Agent capabilities.
- roles: IT Administrators, Operations Managers, CIOs
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=493288
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 |
| 2025-07-10 | MC Messages | We're expanding the capabilities of the Researcher Agent by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks. This enhancement allows users to conduct complex, multi-step research across enterprise data sources-without leaving the Notebook experience-using OpenAI's deep researcher model with chain-of-thought reasoning.
This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 493288 [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late June 2025 and is expected to complete by late July 2025. | Updated July 9, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
We're expanding the capabilities of the Researcher Agent by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks. This enhancement allows users to conduct complex, multi-step research across enterprise data sources-without leaving the Notebook experience-using OpenAI's deep researcher model with chain-of-thought reasoning. This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 493288 [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-July 2025 (previously late June) and is expected to complete by mid-August 2025 (previously late July). |
| 2025-07-10 | MC Title | Researcher in Copilot Notebooks | (Updated) Researcher in Copilot Notebooks |
| 2025-07-10 | MC Last Updated | 06/21/2025 00:15:02 | 2025-07-09T17:06:00Z |
| 2025-07-10 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2025-07-10 | MC Summary | We're integrating the Researcher Agent into Copilot Notebooks, enabling complex research across enterprise data sources using OpenAI’s model. This feature, available globally from late June to late July 2025, enhances in-context research workflows and will be on by default. No immediate action is required. | We're expanding the Researcher Agent capabilities by integrating it into Copilot Notebooks, allowing complex research across enterprise data sources using OpenAI's model. Rollout begins mid-July 2025 and completes by mid-August 2025. No action is required, but users should be informed of the enhanced research workflows. |
Last updated 3 days ago
