Microsoft Rebrands AI Assistant, Launches Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat for Businesses
Microsoft has announced the relaunch of its free AI assistant for businesses, now known as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This rebranding effort, which transforms the former Bing Chat Enterprise, introduces new features aimed at familiarizing users with artificial intelligence in the workplace.
The GPT-powered service now includes access to Copilot AI agents within the chat interface, allowing for enhanced functionality such as email monitoring and task automation. These agents can be created and utilized through Copilot Studio, offering businesses customizable AI solutions.
Pricing for the new service is structured through Azure’s Copilot Studio meter or a pay-as-you-go option. Usage is measured in messages, with costs varying based on the type of answer provided. Classic answers cost one message, generative answers two, and Microsoft Graph access 30 messages, with each message priced at approximately one cent.
While the core chat experience remains largely unchanged, utilizing GPT-4 for queries, the service now allows users to upload files for summarization or data analysis. This feature positions Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat as a direct competitor to ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
Industry analysts suggest that this move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to encourage businesses to adopt its full Microsoft 365 Copilot offering, which comes with a $30 per user per month subscription. The free Copilot Chat serves as an entry point, allowing businesses to experience the benefits of AI integration before committing to the more comprehensive package.
Despite some naming confusion in the market, Copilot Chat has gained popularity among businesses already using Microsoft services. As the debate over the value proposition of AI in the workplace continues, Microsoft’s latest offering aims to solidify its position in the rapidly evolving landscape of business AI solutions.
