Microsoft 365 Message Center item MC1422074

MC1422074 - OpenAI models will soon be available as a subprocessor in Microsoft 365 Copilot

OpenAI models, including GPT-5.6, will be available as a subprocessor in Microsoft 365 Copilot starting July 9, 2026, initially disabled by default and auto-enabled on July 24, 2026. Admins can configure this setting to enable or disable OpenAI-operated models with enterprise-grade security and data protection.

Message Center ID

MC1422074

Category

plan For Change

Severity

normal

Services

Microsoft 365 suite, Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365), Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat

Tags

New feature, User impact, Admin impact

Published

2026-07-09

Last updated

2026-07-10

Expires

2026-09-28

Action required by

2026-07-24

[What and why:]To enable OpenAI-operated models in Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft has onboarded OpenAI as a subprocessor, creating the foundation for more model flexibility and quicker access to new AI model innovations. This includes OpenAI's new family of models, beginning with GPT-5.6, which is now available in Microsoft 365 Copilot. These models are governed by the Microsoft Product Terms and the Data Protection Addendum (DPA), with the same enterprise-grade security, compliance, and data protection commitments you already rely on, except as otherwise disclosed in Microsoft Learn documentation. This setting does not apply to OpenAI models operated by Microsoft Azure OpenAI.The setting will initially be disabled by default on July 9, 2026. Admins can review and configure the setting at any time in the Microsoft 365 admin center. For eligible customers, if no action is taken prior to July 24, 2026, the setting will be automatically enabled. Admins who do not wish to enable access to OpenAI-operated models should select “No users” before the setting is enabled. OpenAI-operated models in the Microsoft 365 admin center are designed to provide administrators with the option to access new AI model capabilities as they become available.[Rollout schedule:]Worldwide (General Availability): The OpenAI subprocessor setting will begin rolling out in the admin center on July 9, 2026, and become enabled by default for your tenant on July 24, 2026.[Impact on your organization:]Who is affectedAdmins managing Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot StudioMicrosoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot Studio usersPlatforms / servicesMicrosoft 365 Copilot Copilot in Microsoft 365 appsMicrosoft Copilot StudioWhat will happenA new admin setting in the Microsoft 365 admin center lets eligible customers enable or disable OpenAI-operated models.This setting will be initially Disabled by default, for your tenant, admins can choose to enable to use OpenAI-operated model for quicker access to the latest AI model innovation.Selecting "No users" prevents use of OpenAI models running on OpenAI infrastructure—some Microsoft 365 Copilot features may be unavailable as a result.Prompts and responses continue to receive enterprise data protection aligned with Microsoft 365 commitments[Action required / recommendations:]Admin action required. If no action is taken prior to July 24, 2026, the setting will be automatically enabled.If you prefer to enable OpenAI as a subprocessor, follow the steps in OpenAI as a subprocessor in Microsoft Online Services to enable the setting.Learn moreOpenAI as a subprocessor in Microsoft Online Services  Overview of AI SubprocessorsEnterprise data protection in Microsoft 365 CopilotMicrosoft Product TermsData Protection AddendumSubprocessor data access