Microsoft is considering the implementation of its AI assistant, Copilot, for the on-premises version of Exchange Server. In a recent survey directed at IT administrators, the company inquired about the potential interest in utilizing Copilot in local email setups. The survey poses the question, “Would your organization be comfortable enabling Copilot for Exchange Server if it requires sending some Exchange Server data to the cloud?”
This inquiry raises significant concerns among many administrators who prefer on-premises solutions specifically to avoid transmitting Exchange data to Microsoft”s cloud services. Although there are no formal plans to roll out Copilot for the on-premises version of Exchange Server, the survey indicates a clear direction towards exploring this integration.
The survey seeks feedback on features that could be beneficial, including capabilities such as summarizing emails and monitoring the health of Exchange Server. It also emphasizes essential requirements, including regulatory compliance, data boundary assurances, restrictions defined by administrators, and the option for complete internet disconnection.
Participants in the survey are presented with three options regarding current usage of Microsoft 365 Copilot: “Yes, a large part of our employees already use M365 Copilot,” “We are in an early adoption phase and a few users already use Copilot,” and “Not yet.” Notably absent is an option that conveys complete resistance to the integration.
While Copilot could potentially provide valuable functionalities within Exchange, concerns have been raised about the reliability of Exchange Online. Previous reports indicated that failures were often attributed to configuration errors, faulty builds, and more profound vulnerabilities within Microsoft”s cloud architecture. This context adds to the skepticism surrounding the prospect of sending on-premises data to the cloud.
Completing this survey does not guarantee that Copilot will be available for the on-premises Exchange Server, nor does it imply a requirement for its adoption. However, it serves as a prompt for administrators to consider their positions on such integrations. Failure to express their views may lead to the unwelcome scenario where an animated assistant appears, inquiring, “Hey, it looks like you”re trying to run an email server without sending your data to Microsoft”s cloud. Would you like some help with that?”
