Microsoft Debuts Copilot Pro, a More Powerful AI Assistant for $20 Per Month

Microsoft is launching a paid version of its Copilot AI assistant that costs $20 per month for access to more features, including the latest GPT models from OpenAI. 

Microsoft developed Copilot Pro for power users, such as researchers, programmers, and content creators, who may already be relying on the AI program for work projects. The subscription offering, which rolls out today, is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, which also costs $20 per month in return for access to the most cutting-edge features.

Unlike the free Copilot experience, Microsoft’s Pro version is designed to function as a “single AI experience that runs across your devices, understanding your context on the web, on your PC, across your apps and soon on your phone.” 

Users with access to Copilot Pro can also run the assistant in Microsoft’s Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Microsoft 365. The other major selling point is that Pro features “priority access” to OpenAI’s latest AI model GPT-4 Turbo even during peak usage times.

Pro users will also be able to toggle between different GPT models in a later update. In contrast, free Copilot users are usually relegated to the older GPT-3.5 model.

(Credit: Microsoft)

For designers and artists, Copilot Pro offers better access to Microsoft’s AI Image Creator by distributing “100 boosts” per day. This means subscribers will receive priority access to generate 100 image-based requests, up from a mere 15 for free users. 

The final perk is that the Pro version lets users build custom Copilot GPTs focused on select topics. Microsoft plans on enabling this feature through an upcoming “Copilot GPT Builder” that will create custom GPTs using only a “set of simple prompts.” In the meantime, the company plans on rolling out its own Copilot GPTs focused on specific purposes such as fitness, travel, and cooking, and more. (OpenAI launched its GPT Store last week after a slight delay following the drama with CEO Sam Altman being fired and quickly rehired.)

(Credit: Microsoft)

The second major announcement is that the corporate-focused Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available to small and medium businesses, including solo entrepreneurs. Microsoft says this tier is the best Copilot experience for organizations since it can harness all kinds of corporate data including emails, meetings, documents, and chats. But on the flip side, it costs more.

“Customers can purchase between one and 299 seats for $30 per person per month,” Microsoft said. Users will also need to already be using Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Microsoft 365 Business Premium.