Keywords: Copilot, AI, ERP data
Date: 17-MAR-2025
Let me start by saying that if you can cite a specific Microsoft document that contradicts the scenario below, please let me know so I can update this post.
I think the following scenario is very concerning.
The difficulty I had in knowing for sure whether or not the following scenario is possible, or is forbidden, is part of the problem. But let me back up a little bit so you know how I got here.
When WilloWare started we used QuickBooks (on site) and then we moved to an early release of QuickBooks Online (we quickly left the product, you will see why shortly). Not long after we made that transition, I received the following offer from QuickBooks/Intuit:
Note where the loan offer says, “Congrats on hitting about xxxx annual sales revenue.” The only way they could have known that was by looking at our ERP system data hosted on their servers. After some digging, I found this statement in their Terms of Service:
The key phrase is “You grant Inuit permission to use information about your business and experience to help us to provide the Intuit Services to you and to enhance the Services. You grant Intuit permission to combine your business data, if any, with that of others in a way that does not identify you or any individual personally.” (Bold added for emphasis).
If you use D365 as your ERP system can Microsoft use your data in this way? After hours of reading legal documents and terms of service, I don’t know. I turned to Microsoft’s own Copilot, because surely it knows the answer. Here’s what it had to say regarding Microsoft’s ability to use ERP system data from D365:
Data Usage: Microsoft may use your data to provide and improve its services. This includes using data for service operations, troubleshooting, and enhancing features.
As a follow-up I asked Copilot if anything in any of the Microsoft terms would forbid Microsoft from using D365 ERP data to train Copilot. It replied:
“As of my latest update, Microsoft does not explicitly state that it uses ERP data from Dynamics 365 to train AI models like Copilot. However, Microsoft does collect and use data to improve its services, which could include enhancing AI capabilities.”
Could “enhancing features” mean training Copilot to be able to coach you on “Best Practices” in your use of D365?
Imagine that you are really good at what you do (I’m sure you are!) and Copilot can learn from your Bills of Material and routings, your manufacturing scheduling patterns and your purchasing patterns, what the Secret Sauce is that makes you successful. Would you want the “enhanced feature” of a business-trained co-pilot to coach your competitors on how to be better?