Overview of the Agent chat web part
Microsoft has announced a new component for SharePoint, referred to as a 'web part'. A web part is an individual element that can be added to a SharePoint page, such as a text box, an image, or a list of files. This specific web part will allow administrators to embed a chat interface into any modern SharePoint page.
The feature connects to Microsoft 365 Copilot agents. These agents are customised versions of Microsoft's artificial intelligence that can be trained on specific sets of company data, such as an employee handbook or a project archive.
Implementation timeline
According to the current Microsoft roadmap, this feature is not expected to be available for general use until January 2027. A preview version is scheduled for November 2026. These dates are subject to change as development progresses. We do not currently have information regarding whether this will require additional licensing fees beyond the standard Copilot subscription costs.
Practical use for small businesses
For a small or medium business, this tool is intended to make internal information easier to find. Instead of staff searching through folders for a specific policy, they can type a question into the chat box on the relevant SharePoint page. The agent then reads the documents stored in that site to provide an answer.
Because this tool relies on your existing data, the accuracy of the answers depends on the quality and organisation of your files. If your SharePoint site contains outdated or conflicting documents, the chat agent may provide incorrect information.
Data security considerations
It is important to note that these agents respect the permissions already set in your Microsoft 365 environment. An employee will only receive answers based on files they are already authorised to view. However, the introduction of an easy-to-use chat interface can sometimes reveal that permissions are broader than intended.
Before this feature is released, we recommend a review of your SharePoint site permissions. This ensures that sensitive information, such as payroll details or private client data, is restricted to the correct personnel and cannot be accessed through an AI query.