MC932535 – (Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot can access Microsoft Viva Engage content (archived)

Product:

Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Engage

Platform:

Android, iOS, Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

408166

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft 365 Copilot will soon access question posts in Microsoft Viva Engage public communities to assist users. Rollout starts mid-January 2025 and completes by late March 2025. Initially, it will include Question posts, Answers, and Storylines, expanding to Discussion posts and private communities later. No admin action required.

Details:
Updated March 25, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: We are pleased to inform you that Microsoft 365 Copilot will have access to question posts in Microsoft Viva Engage public communities, including Answers, to assist in delivering pertinent responses to users' inquiries. This message applies to Copilot on the web and Copilot on iOS/Android. A Microsoft 365 Copilot license is required to use this feature.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 408166.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 (previously mid-December) and expect to complete by late March 2025 (previously late February).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-11-13

updated:
2025-03-26

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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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

Microsoft 365 Copilot will soon be able to search through specific sections of Microsoft Viva Engage, such as Question posts, Answers, and Storylines, starting mid-January 2025, with plans to expand to Discussion posts and private communities by late March 2025, enhancing its ability to provide relevant information to users.

Direct effects for Operations**

Access to Public Community Content
Users may experience confusion or frustration if they are not aware that Copilot can now access and respond to questions from public communities in Viva Engage, potentially leading to misinformation or miscommunication.
   - roles: End Users, Support Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Increased Dependency on Copilot
Users may become overly reliant on Copilot for answers, which could diminish their critical thinking and problem-solving skills over time, impacting overall productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Documentation and Training Gaps
Without prior notification, users may not have updated documentation or training on how to effectively use the new features of Copilot, leading to underutilization of the tool.
   - roles: Training Coordinators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Data Privacy Concerns
Users may have concerns about the privacy of their questions and discussions in public communities being accessed by Copilot, potentially leading to distrust in the platform.
   - roles: End Users, Compliance Officers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Integration Issues with Existing Tools
The automatic rollout may lead to integration issues with existing tools or workflows that rely on Viva Engage, causing disruptions in user experience.
   - roles: IT Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Support through AI
With Microsoft 365 Copilot accessing question posts in Microsoft Viva Engage, users can receive immediate, context-aware assistance. This will streamline support processes, reduce response times, and improve user satisfaction as employees can get answers to their questions directly from Copilot without waiting for human intervention.
   - next-steps: Conduct training sessions for employees on how to effectively use Copilot with Viva Engage. Monitor user engagement and feedback to refine support processes.
   - roles: Customer Support Managers, HR Managers, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Knowledge Management Improvement
The integration of Copilot with Viva Engage will enhance knowledge sharing within the organization. By leveraging community-generated content, employees can access a wealth of information and insights, promoting a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
   - next-steps: Encourage teams to contribute to public communities in Viva Engage. Develop guidelines for content creation and curation to ensure quality and relevance.
   - roles: Knowledge Managers, Training Coordinators, Project Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

Reduced Administrative Overhead
As Copilot can provide answers from Viva Engage, this reduces the need for IT staff to manage and respond to repetitive queries. IT can focus on more strategic initiatives, thus improving operational efficiency.
   - next-steps: Evaluate current IT support tickets to identify common queries that could be handled by Copilot. Implement feedback loops to continuously improve the knowledge base.
   - roles: IT Managers, Operations Managers, Helpdesk Staff
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=408166

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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