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Microsoft Copilot Intros Voice Commands, Teams Collaboration, Local Data Processing

Microsoft has added new features within its Microsoft 365 Copilot offering, aimed at making further foothold in the enterprise, including voice-based interaction, group collaboration tools, and an expansion of in-country data processing.

The first major addition is the introduction of voice input for Microsoft 365 Copilot. The feature, which is currently only available in the mobile app, allows users to interact with Copilot using natural language voice commands. The feature supports follow-up questions and integrates with Microsoft Graph to contextualize responses based on the user's documents, calendar and emails. It's designed to streamline smaller tasks, such as drafting emails or retrieving meeting insights.

Microsoft said desktop and web support is in development and should be coming in a future update.

Microsoft also introduced a new Teams Mode for Copilot, now available in public preview for licensed users. This feature brings Copilot directly into group chats and meetings in Microsoft Teams, letting everyone interact with it together. Teams Mode can summarize discussions, help draft content, or pull up shared files on demand. Microsoft says it can even act like a built-in meeting assistant, creating live summaries and action items that everyone can see in real time. Unlike the regular Copilot chat that's limited to one person, Teams Mode can be added to any Teams channel, group chat or meeting.

"Now, the same Copilot you use for individual work supports group work as well," said Microsoft's Nicole Herskowitz. "This new capability builds on our investments in collaborative AI, designed to drive productivity in the flow of work."

Microsoft said Teams Mode also retains context across interactions and can be configured to follow along with conversations automatically, providing summaries and updates without being prompted.

The third update addresses growing regulatory and compliance demands. Microsoft said it is expanding its in-country data processing commitments for Copilot interactions. By the end of 2025, Copilot prompts and responses will be processed within Germany, France, Norway and the Netherlands for qualifying customers. By 2026, this capability will extend to a total of 15 countries (including Canada, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.).

This data residency approach mirrors Microsoft's broader EU Data Boundary initiative and responds to concerns among public sector and regulated industries regarding data sovereignty.

The new data processing model ensures that Copilot requests are handled within regional datacenters, alongside Microsoft 365 content storage. This reduces the need for cross-border data transfers, a key concern under laws such as the EU's GDPR and Brazil's LGPD. Microsoft said customers with an eligible license and an in-scope Azure Active Directory tenant will be automatically included as the service rolls out.

Microsoft hasn't yet shared when desktop voice input or Teams Mode will be generally available.

For more information, go to the Microsoft Copilot blog.

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

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