check before: 2026-03-15
Product:
Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
User impact, Admin impact, Retirement
Links:
Details:
Summary:
The Skills agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot will retire by the end of March 2026, with removal from new installations by March 16, 2026. Skills data is now integrated directly in Copilot and available via the Learning and Workforce Insights agents. Users should transition and reconfigure delegation accordingly.
Details:
[Introduction]
We are retiring the Skills agent (currently in Frontier) in Microsoft 365 Copilot as part of an evolution to streamline the Copilot experience.
Skills data and capabilities are now available directly in Microsoft 365 Copilot and through two agents available now in Frontier: the Learning agent and the Workforce Insights agent.
Frontier agents help us learn what users value most and how they want to experience M365 Copilot. Skills agent feedback provided by Frontier customers has directly shaped our broader approach to improving people experiences in Copilot. Integrating current skills capabilities directly into Copilot, the Learning agent, and the Workforce Insights agent, gives organizations consistent access to skills data while supporting broader scenarios for employees and leaders.
[When this will happen]
Skills data is already available for people-based queries in M365 Copilot. The Learning agent and Workforce Insights agent are available now for testing through the Frontier program.
The Skills agent will be removed from the agent store for new installations on March 16, 2026.
The Skills agent will be fully retired at the end of March 2026, at which point existing users will lose access.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2026-03-04
updated:
2026-03-04
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**
Your law firm's current assistant, "Skills," is being replaced by a more advanced system comprising "Copilot," "Learning," and "Workforce Insights," which will not only track skills but also enhance productivity, provide tailored learning paths, and offer strategic workforce insights, with a full transition expected by March 2026.
Direct effects for Operations**
Loss of Skills Agent Functionality
Existing users will lose access to the Skills agent, impacting their ability to gain organization-wide skills insights and manage delegation settings.
- roles: Leaders, HR Managers
- references: https://adoption.microsoft.com/ai-agents/agents-in-microsoft-365/, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/workforce-insights-agent#manage-delegation-policies
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/workforce-insights-agent#manage-delegation-policies
Need for Reconfiguration
Delegation settings previously configured in the Skills agent will not carry over, requiring users to reconfigure these settings in the Workforce Insights agent.
- roles: Leaders, IT Administrators
- references: https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/workforce-insights-agent#manage-delegation-policies, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-new-microsoft-365-copilot-agents-to-drive-workforce-transformation/4470689
User Experience Disruption
Users accustomed to the Skills agent may experience disruption in their workflow and access to skills data, leading to potential productivity loss.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://adoption.microsoft.com/copilot/frontier-program/, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-new-microsoft-365-copilot-agents-to-drive-workforce-transformation/4470689
Training and Transition Requirements
Organizations will need to invest time and resources in training users on the new Learning and Workforce Insights agents, which may not be readily available.
- roles: Training Coordinators, IT Support
- references: https://adoption.microsoft.com/ai-agents/agents-in-microsoft-365/, https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/workforce-insights-agent#manage-delegation-policies
" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/copilot/microsoft-365/workforce-insights-agent#manage-delegation-policies
Potential Data Access Issues
Users may face issues accessing historical skills data that was previously available through the Skills agent, affecting decision-making processes.
- roles: Data Analysts, Leaders
- references: https://adoption.microsoft.com/copilot/frontier-program/, https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-new-microsoft-365-copilot-agents-to-drive-workforce-transformation/4470689
Configutation Options**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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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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