Power BI owners can now block Copilot from read-only data models
Reviewed by Helen Jones
Microsoft has added a per-model switch so people with write permission on a Power BI semantic model (the data model behind a report) can stop Read-only users from using that model in Copilot and related AI tools. The control sits in semantic model settings under Copilot, and also under Explore and AI access. The label is Allow any person with only read permissions to use AI on this model and its related reports. It is on by default. When you turn it off, Read-only users keep the reports, but they cannot use that model in Power BI Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and Cowork, Data Agent, or remote MCP tools. In experiences that mix several models, other models with the setting still on remain available. Microsoft Learn for this control was last updated on 29 September 2026, as Fabric IQ and Microsoft 365 Copilot data answering went generally available. Changing it still requires write permission. Copilot buttons may hide, disable, or show an access message depending on the surface.
Until now, Copilot access was mostly a tenant or workspace conversation. If Copilot was allowed, anyone who could open a report could also ask AI to summarise, filter, or restate the same model. Read permission already meant they could see the numbers. It did not always mean they should get a chat interface that invents a confident answer from measures you still struggle to defend in a meeting. The new switch splits those jobs. A model can stay the source of a published dashboard while being excluded from Copilot Chat, Cowork, agents, and MCP clients. The catch is the default. Access stays open unless an editor turns it off, so the risk is not a new Copilot feature. It is an existing model quietly becoming an AI source without anyone on the reporting team deciding that was safe.
Analysis
Treat this as a change to act on for a short list of models, not a reason to switch Copilot off everywhere. Open the semantic models behind your contested monthly packs, turn off AI access for Read-only users on those models, and leave the published reports in place so stakeholders still have a number you can explain.
Source note
Pulse published by Collab365 Spaces, reviewed by Helen Jones on . Cite as "Power BI owners can now block Copilot from read-only data models", Collab365 Spaces. 2 sources referenced.