In a groundbreaking move, Microsoft has democratized access to its acclaimed Copilot AI companion, empowering small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. Originally tailored for the enterprise sector with significant budget allocations, Copilot's availability has now expanded to smaller businesses, revolutionizing how SMEs integrate AI into their operations.
This major shift, accompanied by a modest subscription fee of $30 per month, is poised to reshape the technology landscape for smaller businesses, unlocking the full potential of Copilot across Microsoft 365 applications.
Expanding Copilot access for smaller businesses with enhanced features
Under the new subscription model, smaller businesses can now seamlessly integrate Copilot into their Microsoft 365 suite, which includes Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Priced at just $30 per month, the subscription brings an unmatched level of accessibility, removing the previous requirement for a Microsoft 365 license. This strategic decision positions Copilot as an affordable and indispensable tool for enterprises, democratizing access to advanced AI capabilities once exclusive to enterprises with significant resources.
With this expanded availability, Copilot introduces new features to enrich the user experience. The introduction of Copilot GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) allows customization of AI behavior based on specific topics including fitness, travel and cooking. Additionally, Microsoft eventually promises a Copilot GPT builder that will allow users to create their own GPTs tailored to their unique needs.
Copilot's development extends to mobile platforms with a dedicated mobile app and integration into the Microsoft 365 mobile app, providing users with AI assistance on the go. Targeting individual users, Microsoft introduces Copilot Pro, a subscription priced at $20 per month. This variant extends AI capabilities to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, offering full operational integration with Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.
In a forward-thinking move, Excel integration is currently available in an English-language preview. Copilot Pro subscribers can expect future support on mobile devices, ensuring a comprehensive and accessible AI experience. Microsoft ups the ante by offering "priority access" to the latest AI models, including the highly anticipated OpenAI's GPT-4.