MC1163760 – New support for HR and employee profile data in Microsoft 365 Copilot connectors

Product:

Copilot, Copilot Chat, Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Graph

Platform:

Developer, Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

New feature, User impact, Admin impact

Links:

480736

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot now supports HR and employee profile data via connectors like BambooHR and custom Microsoft Graph connectors, enhancing people profiles with authoritative external data. Administrators configure these in the Admin Center. Public preview runs mid-May to mid-November 2025; general availability starts mid-November 2025.

Details:
[Introduction]
We're introducing enhanced Microsoft 365 Copilot connectors for people data to help organizations enrich Microsoft 365 people profiles with authoritative information from external systems. This update improves Copilot's ability to deliver contextually relevant and personalized responses across Microsoft 365 experiences such as profile cards and people search.
Administrators can configure connectors to supported systems like BambooHR directly from the Copilot > Connectors > Gallery, under the Human resources & recruiting category. Additionally, customers and partners can build custom connectors via Microsoft Graph to ingest people-related data from other sources. These capabilities allow Copilot to ground its responses in richer, more accurate people data.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 480736.
[When this will happen:]
Public Preview (Worldwide): Began mid-May 2025 and completes by mid-November 2025.
General Availability (Worldwide): Begins mid-November 2025 and completes by mid-December 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview

Created:
2025-10-02

updated:
2025-10-02

Public Preview Start Date

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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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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Data Integration Issues
Without proper preparation, the integration of external HR data may lead to inconsistencies or inaccuracies in employee profiles, affecting user trust in the system.
   - roles: Microsoft 365 Administrators, HR Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=480736

User Experience Degradation
Users may experience delays or errors in accessing enriched profiles if the connectors are not properly configured, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
   - references: https://aka.ms/peopleconnectors/bamboohr, https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage " target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage

Compliance Risks
Failure to comply with data privacy regulations when integrating external data could expose the organization to legal risks and penalties.
   - roles: Compliance Officers, Data Protection Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=480736

Increased Support Tickets
Unprepared changes may lead to a surge in support requests from users facing issues with the new features, overwhelming IT support resources.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Helpdesk Personnel
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=480736

Training and Documentation Gaps
Lack of training and updated documentation for users and administrators may hinder effective use of the new features, leading to underutilization.
   - roles: Microsoft 365 Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://aka.ms/peopleconnectors/build, https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=480736

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced Data Integration
The new connectors allow for seamless integration of HR and employee profile data from systems like BambooHR, which can significantly improve the accuracy and relevance of employee profiles within Microsoft 365. This will enhance user experience for HR professionals and managers by providing them with comprehensive and up-to-date information.
   - next-steps: Identify key HR data sources within the organization and evaluate the feasibility of integrating them using the new connectors. Plan training sessions for HR personnel on how to utilize the enriched profiles effectively.
   - roles: HR Managers, IT Administrators, Team Leaders
   - references: https://aka.ms/peopleconnectors/bamboohr, https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage

Improved User Experience
With enriched people profiles, employees will have access to more relevant information when searching for colleagues or collaborating, which can enhance productivity and collaboration across teams. This will particularly benefit roles that rely heavily on teamwork and communication.
   - next-steps: Conduct user feedback sessions to understand the specific needs of employees regarding profile information. Implement the new connectors and monitor user engagement and satisfaction.
   - roles: Employees, Project Managers, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=480736

Streamlined Administrative Tasks
The ability to configure connectors directly from the Microsoft Admin Center will streamline administrative tasks for IT staff, reducing the time spent on manual data entry and maintenance of employee profiles. This can lead to improved operational efficiency.
   - next-steps: Develop a checklist for IT administrators to configure the new connectors efficiently. Schedule training for IT staff on managing these new integrations and maintaining data integrity.
   - roles: IT Administrators, System Administrators, Data Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/graph/peopleconnectors#compliance-privacy-and-data-usage

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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