Microsoft Copilot now offers free access to OpenAI’s o1 model

OpenAI’s powerful o1 reasoning model is now freely available to all Microsoft Copilot users, marking a significant expansion in access to advanced AI capabilities that previously required a $200 monthly subscription.

Key Development: Microsoft has integrated OpenAI’s o1 model into Copilot’s “Think Deeper” feature, making it accessible to both free and Pro users.

• The o1 model, launched in December 2023, specializes in complex reasoning tasks across science, coding, and mathematics
• ChatGPT Plus users currently have limited access to o1, with full access requiring a $200 monthly ChatGPT Pro subscription
• Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman announced the feature’s availability to all Copilot users, regardless of subscription status

Technical Implementation: The o1 model operates through Copilot’s “Think Deeper” feature, which users can easily activate through their account interface.

• Users can enable the feature via a toggle button in the search bar
• Response generation takes approximately 30 seconds, longer than standard model responses
• The extended processing time allows the system to analyze queries from multiple perspectives

Practical Applications: The enhanced capabilities focus on providing detailed analysis and comprehensive guidance across various use cases.

• Career transition planning and guidance
• Detailed project execution frameworks
• In-depth explorations of user-selected topics
• Complex problem-solving across scientific and technical domains

Current Limitations: Several important constraints affect the model’s current functionality.

• Knowledge cutoff date is October 2023
• No internet access capability, though this feature is under development
• Longer response times compared to standard Copilot interactions

Future Developments: Microsoft’s strategic positioning suggests continued evolution of the platform’s capabilities.

• Suleyman indicated additional features are in development
• Internet access functionality is actively being worked on
• The company aims to maintain competitive advantage in the AI assistant market through continued feature expansion

Market Impact: This move represents a significant shift in the accessibility of advanced AI capabilities, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of AI assistants while raising questions about the sustainability of premium AI service models.