CoPilot Studio | Use generative AI only for topic selection, not for autonomous knowledge selection.

Question

CoPilot Studio | Use generative AI only for topic selection, not for autonomous knowledge selection.

Susanne Duckhorn 50

Hello,

I would like to create an agent/bot in CoPilot studio, that will select the topics that I created using generative AI. That means, that I will describe, when a topic should be triggered and the bot uses generative AI to determine if the user input fits a topic.

I know, I can do that using the orchestrated mode in my settings. However, there is one challenge.

As soon as I activate this feature, the bot will not only make a selection, it will also give autonomous answers using the knowledge sources that I had added without triggering any topic - not even the fallback or a topic with the trigger "on unknown intent". This gives the creator no opportunity to design the answers the bot gives, e.g. adding feedback questions.

Is there a possibility to do this is another way without using classic mode and manually creating trigger phrases?

If not, I would like to create a feature request from this. Maybe other users are struggling with this behaviour as well.

Thanks

Isaac Smith 0 Reputation points

2025-06-06T02:08:53.6866667+00:00

Hi Susanne,

I have the exact same issue. Made 14 Generative topics with specific knowledge sources in each and quick reply topics to follow. Although Orchestration does provide some good answers sometimes combining different topics and actions, its impossible to control certain outcomes as Orchestration often uses Knowledge sources directly, bypassing all other configuration.
Susanne Duckhorn 50 Reputation points

2025-06-06T12:25:32.6566667+00:00

Hey Isaac,

thanks for your support. I created a feature request at Microsoft. You can upvote my request to support a change.

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/f068b5cf-0c37-f011-a2da-000d3a05d8a6

Thanks!

2 answers

Your answer

Isaac Smith 0 Reputation points

2025-06-06T02:08:53.6866667+00:00

Hi Susanne,

I have the exact same issue. Made 14 Generative topics with specific knowledge sources in each and quick reply topics to follow. Although Orchestration does provide some good answers sometimes combining different topics and actions, its impossible to control certain outcomes as Orchestration often uses Knowledge sources directly, bypassing all other configuration.
Susanne Duckhorn 50 Reputation points

2025-06-06T12:25:32.6566667+00:00

Hey Isaac,

thanks for your support. I created a feature request at Microsoft. You can upvote my request to support a change.

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/f068b5cf-0c37-f011-a2da-000d3a05d8a6

Thanks!

Answer 1

Smit Agrawal 95 Microsoft External Staff

Thanks for the query!
Will check this issue and get back to you.

Answer 2

Smit Agrawal 95 Microsoft External Staff

Hi,Thanks for the query

To create a bot in Microsoft 365 Copilot Studio that selects topics using generative AI without using orchestrated mode, consider a hybrid approach. Use orchestrated mode for general topic selection and classic mode for specific scenarios where precise control over responses is needed. Enhance fallback topics to include comprehensive responses and feedback questions. Implement custom logic to pre-process user inputs and post-process bot responses, ensuring they align with your designed interactions. This approach balances automation with customization, providing a more controlled user experience.

For more details, refer to Microsoft 365 Copilot help & learning 1, Copilot tutorial 2, and Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat 3. Thanks,

Smit Agrawal

If the response is helpful, please click on "upvote" button. You can share your feedback via Microsoft Copilot Developer Feedback link. Click here to escalate.

Susanne Duckhorn 50 Reputation points

2025-05-19T13:17:08.3066667+00:00

Hey Smit, thanks for your reply.

with the settings I have available, I am not able to create a hybrid approach. These are the settings I have available:

I cannot use both classic and generative approach. If I use generative approach it will orchestrate EVERYTHING - actions, topics - and knowledge. But I don't want it to autonomously answer the questions or issues a user might have without triggering a topic. I want it to just select the topics autonomously and if no topic is matching, it should fall back to my fallback topic or "unknown intend" trigger topics. If I use "classic", topics cannot be triggered using generative AI, but only through trigger phrases, which is not what I want.

Please let me know, if the requirement I have summarized is available today and if not, please let me know, how a feature request can be created.

Thanks,

Susanne
Smit Agrawal 95 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-05-20T19:49:36.7333333+00:00

Unfortunately, the platform doesn't currently support a configuration where generative AI is used solely for topic selection, with fallback to predefined topics like "unknown intent" without generating autonomous responses.

However, your feedback is invaluable, and I recommend submitting a feature request to the Microsoft Copilot Developer Feedback portal.
Thanks,

Smit Agrawal

If the response is helpful, please click on "upvote" button. You can share your feedback via Microsoft Copilot Developer Feedback link. Click here to escalate.
Susanne Duckhorn 50 Reputation points

2025-05-21T07:46:29.56+00:00

Thanks a lot Smit,

Where can I find the Microsoft Copilot Developer Feedback Portal? Can you provide a link and which permissions are needed (e.g. Admin rights through MS Admin portal)?

Thanks,

Susanne

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CoPilot Studio | Use generative AI only for topic selection, not for autonomous knowledge selection.

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