Microsoft introduces a premium tier for people and offers the Copilot AI assistant to small enterprises

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced that small businesses can now subscribe to its Copilot virtual assistant within its productivity apps. Customers who purchase Microsoft 365 software can also get a new Copilot paid edition. These updates aim to introduce more customers to generative artificial intelligence, a technology popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot.

The move comes as Microsoft seeks to expand access to generative AI across various domains, such as operating systems, cloud services, productivity tools, web search, and security. Despite competition from companies like Amazon and Google, Microsoft recently reclaimed the title of the most valuable publicly traded company from Apple. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, has emphasized the pivotal role of AI in the company’s identity, stating, “Our vision is pretty straightforward. We are the Copilot company.” Initially launched for large enterprises in November, Copilot was later extended to educational institutions in December.

For these users, the add-on cost $30 per person per month on top of existing subscription fees. Now, Microsoft is expanding access to small businesses subscribing to Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard, allowing them to sign up for up to 299 licenses at $30 per person per month. Moreover, Microsoft is eliminating the 300-seat minimum for commercial plans and allowing Copilot’s use for those with Office 365 E3 or E5 plans, which are more affordable than full Microsoft 365 subscriptions. While individuals could access Copilot for free in various ways, including the Bing search engine and copilot.microsoft.com, subscribers to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans couldn’t use it in specific apps.

This changes with the introduction of Copilot Pro, a new add-on available for $20 per person per month as of Tuesday. Subscribers to Copilot Pro gain priority access to the latest models, starting with OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. This advanced version allows users to leverage cutting-edge models during peak times, switch between models, and design custom chatbots using a forthcoming tool called Copilot GPT Builder.

In summary, Microsoft’s recent updates to Copilot aim to make generative AI more accessible to businesses and consumers alike, reflecting the company’s commitment to incorporating AI into various aspects of its offerings. (Source:CNBC)