Microsoft has announced that its virtual assistant, Copilot, is now available for subscription to small businesses through the company’s productivity apps. Furthermore, consumers who already pay for the Microsoft 365 software can now sign up for a new paid version of Copilot. These updates aim to increase the utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) among Microsoft’s customers. Copilot is powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot, which gained popularity last year for its ability to compose natural-sounding text based on a brief written command. By expanding access to Copilot, Microsoft aims to recover the costs associated with building data center infrastructure that enables AI. Despite facing competition from industry giants like Amazon and Google, Microsoft is steadily positioning itself to capitalize on the growing demand for generative AI in areas such as operating systems, cloud services, productivity tools, web search, and security.
Microsoft recently regained the title of the most valuable publicly traded company, surpassing Apple. This achievement aligns with Satya Nadella’s vision for Microsoft, which places AI at the core of the company’s identity. Nadella expressed this sentiment during Microsoft’s Ignite conference in Seattle, stating, “Our vision is pretty straightforward. We are the Copilot company.” Microsoft initially introduced Copilot for Microsoft 365 to large companies in November, followed by its availability to faculty and staff at educational institutions in December. Previously, this add-on came with a price tag of $30 per person per month, in addition to existing subscription costs.
In a recent blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s head of Windows and Surface, announced that small businesses subscribed to Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard can now sign up for Copilot. This opportunity is available for up to 299 licenses, with a cost of $30 per person per month. Furthermore, Microsoft has removed the previous 300-seat minimum requirement for commercial plans that was implemented in November. As a result, Copilot can now be utilized by individuals with Office 365 E3 or E5 subscriptions, which are more affordable than full Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
While the Copilot virtual assistant has been accessible free of charge through various channels, including the Bing search engine and copilot.microsoft.com, individual subscribers to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans have not been able to use it in Word, Excel, Outlook, and other apps. However, this is set to change. Starting from the recent announcement, users can now subscribe to the new Copilot Pro add-on for $20 per person each month. Subscribers to Copilot Pro will receive priority access to the latest models, starting with OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. They will also have the ability to switch between models and even create custom chatbots using a forthcoming tool called Copilot GPT Builder. With Copilot Pro, Microsoft aims to offer advanced assistance in activities such as writing, coding, designing, researching, and learning, ultimately boosting performance, productivity, and creativity.
Microsoft has taken a significant step towards expanding the availability of its Copilot virtual assistant. By introducing paid versions of Copilot for small businesses and individual subscribers, the company aims to leverage the power of generative AI to enhance productivity across various sectors. These strategic moves also reflect Microsoft’s commitment to AI as a core component of its software ecosystem. With the introduction of Copilot Pro, Microsoft has made advanced AI capabilities accessible to a wider range of users, unlocking new possibilities for personal and professional growth. As the demand for AI-powered solutions continues to rise, Microsoft’s positioning puts it in a strong position to capitalize on this growing market.
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