(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Declarative agents model upgrade to GPT-5.1

Message Center ID: MC1194070
Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft 365)
Stay Informed
New feature User impact Admin impact
December 2025 January 2026

Summary

Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents will upgrade to the GPT-5.1 model with an auto architecture, rolling out worldwide from early January to mid-January 2026. The advanced reasoning model will handle complex queries, enabled by default with no admin changes or required user action.

Details

Updated December 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents are upgrading to the GPT-5.1 model, which uses an “auto” architecture. The orchestrator will automatically select the best model for each scenario, either the fast “chat” model or the advanced reasoning model, based on the user prompt.

[When this will happen]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin early January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025) and is expected to complete by mid-January 2026.

[How this affects your organization]

Who is affected: All tenants using Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents.

What will happen:

  • Declarative agents will upgrade to GPT-5.1.
  • The advanced reasoning model will be available for complex queries.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Feature will be enabled by default for all applicable tenants.
[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

December 17, 2025 at 2:30 AM Updated
Title
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot: Declarative agents model upgrade to GPT-5.1
New
(Updated) Microsoft 365 Copilot: Declarative agents model upgrade to GPT-5.1
Summary
Previous
Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents will upgrade to the GPT-5.1 model with an auto architecture by mid-January 2026. The upgrade enables advanced reasoning for complex queries, requires no admin changes, is enabled by default, and affects all tenants using these agents. No action or compliance concerns are noted.
New
Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents will upgrade to the GPT-5.1 model with an auto architecture, rolling out worldwide from early January to mid-January 2026. The advanced reasoning model will handle complex queries, enabled by default with no admin changes or required user action.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-12-10T23:37:44.887Z
New
2025-12-16T22:27:26.130Z
Tags
Previous
New feature,User impact,Admin impact
New
Updated message,New feature,User impact,Admin impact
Body Content
Previous
[Introduction]

Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents are upgrading to the GPT-5.1 model, which uses an “auto” architecture. The orchestrator will automatically select the best model for each scenario, either the fast “chat” model or the advanced reasoning model, based on the user prompt.

[When this will happen]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin mid-December 2025 and is expected to complete by mid-January 2026.

[How this affects your organization]

Who is affected: All tenants using Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents.

What will happen:

  • Declarative agents will upgrade to GPT-5.1.
  • The advanced reasoning model will be available for complex queries.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Feature will be enabled by default for all applicable tenants.
[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated December 16, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience. 

[Introduction]

Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents are upgrading to the GPT-5.1 model, which uses an “auto” architecture. The orchestrator will automatically select the best model for each scenario, either the fast “chat” model or the advanced reasoning model, based on the user prompt.

[When this will happen]

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin early January 2026 (previously mid-December 2025) and is expected to complete by mid-January 2026.

[How this affects your organization]

Who is affected: All tenants using Microsoft 365 Copilot declarative agents.

What will happen:

  • Declarative agents will upgrade to GPT-5.1.
  • The advanced reasoning model will be available for complex queries.
  • No admin configuration changes are required.
  • Feature will be enabled by default for all applicable tenants.
[What you can do to prepare]

No action is required.

[Compliance considerations]

No compliance considerations identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

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