As AI reshapes the modern workplace, business leaders and decision-makers are eager to unlock the full potential of this new technology safely and effectively; however, years of accumulated content without adequate content governance controls can stall AI deployments and business transformation. 

The power of AI and built-in content governance 

Effective content governance has always been crucial for maintaining the integrity, security, and relevance of organizational content. AI’s power to make content more discoverable than ever before amplifies this need. Enhancing content governance practices in this new context requires implementing both strategies and tools that streamline the content management processes, ensure data is relevant and secure while improving overall content quality. 

Today we’re pleased to announce Microsoft 365 Copilot now will include SharePoint Advanced Management capabilities, delivering built-in content governance reports and controls to rapidly accelerate Copilot deployments and automate oversight at scale. 

These reports and controls will deliver powerful insights to help identify and mitigate oversharing and content sprawl, which are critical for maintaining data integrity and access governance.  

Figure 1 Prevent oversharing with fine-grained security and access policies

By preparing content with fine-grained security, access policies, and regular reviews, this improvement ensures that Copilot can access and deliver only the most relevant and secure information.  

Figure 2 AI insights help you ensure your sensitive information is protected

SharePoint Advanced Management is designed to enhance content governance and security by providing IT administrators with tools to manage content sprawl, streamline access management, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Including governance and content management features directly into Copilot means that our AI solutions not only enhance productivity and creativity, but also provide a foundation that our customers can use to govern their SharePoint content.  

These features can be complemented with Microsoft Purview to deliver a unified platform for data governance, security, and compliance, enabling organizations to gain visibility into their data, safeguard sensitive information, and manage data risks and regulatory requirements efficiently. This unique approach empowers businesses to leverage AI with confidence, knowing that their data is protected, and their operations are compliant. 

Get started with the resources below to accelerate your Copilot journey. 

New resources to prepare your data for AI 

No matter the size or goals of your organization, below are steps you can take to prepare your data for AI: 

Prepare a content governance plan and learn more about the capabilities in SharePoint Advanced Management that can help. 

Continue to help keep your organization’s data safe with a range of solutions for data security, data governance, and risk and compliance management with Microsoft Purview. 

Review our new oversharing blueprint that outlines the steps and resources needed to address internal oversharing concerns as you prepare your data estate for Copilot with SharePoint Advanced Management and Microsoft Purview. 

FAQ 

When will this happen? 

We will start rolling out SharePoint Advanced Management features to Copilot customers in early 2025. 

How do I get the features of SharePoint Advanced Management if I don't have Copilot? 

SharePoint Advanced Management can be purchased as an add-on to Microsoft 365. To learn more visit https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/advanced-management#licensing. 

Do I need to license all users for Copilot to use SharePoint Advanced Management? 

No, we will begin rolling out these features to customers who are licensed for Copilot. 

What does this update to Microsoft 365 Copilot deliver? 

The content governance capabilities with Copilot will be delivered through SharePoint Advanced Management (now included in your Copilot service). 

Where can I learn more about SharePoint Advanced Management? 

To learn more about SharePoint Advanced Management and its features visit https://learn.microsoft.com/sharepoint/advanced-management.