At the Microsoft Inspire partner event today, Microsoft announced the pricing details for its AI-infused Copilot for Microsoft 365. This suite of contextual artificial intelligence tools, developed through a partnership with OpenAI, will cost $30 per user for business accounts. Alongside this, the company also unveiled Bing Chat Enterprise, a version of the AI chatbot designed to prioritize privacy and security when handling sensitive business data.
Microsoft first introduced Microsoft 365 Copilot in March, describing it as the future of work. Powered by GPT-4, this suite of tools allows users to generate Office content by using natural-language text prompts. For example, users can ask PowerPoint to create a presentation based on a Word document, generate a proposal from spreadsheet data, or even summarize emails and draft responses in Outlook, simply by typing simple commands. By combining these prompts with a user’s working context, such as their documents, emails, chats, and meetings, Copilot provides more relevant and actionable responses to their questions.
Although Microsoft has been testing Copilot with select enterprise partners since earlier this year, the company has not yet announced when it will be available to all business customers. However, the pricing announcement suggests that the release date may be approaching. The $30 per month pricing will apply to Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard, and Business Premium customers. Consumer pricing and availability for Copilot has not yet been announced.
In addition to Copilot, Microsoft also revealed Bing Chat Enterprise, a version of the AI chatbot specifically tailored for corporate customers. This enterprise-focused variant prioritizes data protection and security. As Microsoft launched the new Bing in February, they received feedback from numerous corporate customers who were keen to leverage AI tools in their organizations but were concerned about data protection. In response to this feedback, Microsoft created Bing Chat Enterprise, providing AI-powered chat specifically designed for work with commercial data protection. This ensures that the data going into and coming out of the platform remains protected, enabling commercial customers to access better answers, improve efficiency, and explore new ways to foster creativity.
Bing Chat Enterprise is rolling out today as a preview for Microsoft 365 E5, E3, Business Premium, and Business Standard customers at no additional cost. Furthermore, Microsoft plans to make this enterprise-focused chatbot available as a standalone subscription for $5 in the future.
The announcement of the pricing and availability details for Copilot and Bing Chat Enterprise demonstrates Microsoft’s continued commitment to integrating AI capabilities into its productivity software and services. By incorporating AI into its tools, the company aims to enhance user productivity, streamline workflows, and provide more efficient responses to user inquiries. With the anticipated adoption of Copilot and the launch of Bing Chat Enterprise, Microsoft solidifies its position as a leader in AI-powered productivity solutions.
Looking ahead, the release of Copilot and Bing Chat Enterprise represents just the beginning of Microsoft’s AI-infused offerings. The company continues to invest in AI research and development, exploring ways to further integrate AI into its products and services to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals alike. As AI technology continues to advance, Microsoft is well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions that empower its users and drive productivity to new heights.