Microsoft Launches Microsoft Copilot Pro Paid Subscription in Jan 2024

AI assistance is revolutionizing the way we interact with technology, accomplish tasks, and generate content. Microsoft has inched closer to integrating AI to its suite of most used applications like Microsoft office 365. With the launch of Microsoft Copilot pro paid subscription model, Microsoft is planning to start to get the returns on its investment in Open AI and for Copilot Pro users, faster and better service experience even during peak hours.

New Windows PCs from OEMs like DELL, HP have also announced to have on dedicated Copilot keyboard starting from Feb 2024. Microsoft Copilot is powered by Open AI parent company of ChatGPT with which Microsoft has long association as a primary investor. Microsoft Copilot is accessible on Windows 10 and Windows 11 by pressing Windows Key plus C. In line with the current trend of mobile manufacturers embracing AI for mobile, Microsoft is pushing for AI PC for 2024 with enhanced Windows hardware and chip features. Microsoft Copilot epitomizes seamless integration of Large Language Models with personalized data giving personalized services and the best part is none of your personalized information is retained by large language models (LLMs).

Introducing Microsoft Copilot Pro

Microsoft AI assistance Copilot works with Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. Copilot pro paid subscription gives faster AI image creation and access to Copilot in Word, Excel (Preview), PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote if you are also a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriber. AI integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot gives real-time intelligent assistance, enabling users to enhance their creativity, productivity, and skills enabling efficiency at different tasks as per user requirements. Microsoft has launched paid version of Copilot with $20 / month per user.

Copilot allows user to gain priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo versions during peak hours for fast access to generate/ create images and query responses. It allows users to create/ edit AI images with DALL-E 3 in landscape format through Microsoft Designer tool with 100 boosts per day. Boosts refer to number of turns you have to create images, it doesn’t refer to number of images you can generate. It leverages OpenAI’s highly advanced models, which Microsoft has expanded upon to create a tailored experience for business and professional environments

Copilot Pro Requirements, Features and Abilities:

• AI Capabilities: Microsoft Copilot takes advantage of the GPT-4 Turbo model, surpassing many tools that may rely on older or less powerful AI models. This manifests in more coherent and contextually relevant content generation, along with enhanced comprehension of user prompts.

• Integration: One of the key selling points of Copilot is its deep integration with Microsoft 365 applications. This gives Microsoft Copilot incomparable advantage over other applications which uses standalone user interface for content generation or creative abilities. Copilot is positioned to give more personalized services as it operates on existing user database already available with Microsoft office 365.

• User Experience: Microsoft emphasizes a seamless experience, with AI assistance embedded directly within the tools professionals use daily, like Word, Excel, and Outlook. The personalized experience greatly enhances the business productivity and artistic creativity.

• Customization and Learning: Copilot is designed to learn from user behavior and organization-specific data, becoming more personalized and efficient over time. Other AI tools, while improving, generally do not offer the same level of user-specific adaptation, often providing a more generic output.

• Privacy and Security: Microsoft ensures enterprise-grade security and compliance, which is a critical component for businesses worried about proprietary information. Most other available AI tools may not always meet such stringent requirements, posing potential risks regarding data privacy and security.

• Support and Development: Microsoft provides dedicated support and consistent updates to Copilot, backed by significant resources. Microsoft Copilot Pro is compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and iPad devices.

• Business Plans: To enhance and empower businesses Microsoft is main three changes:
  • Microsoft has removed 300 seat minimum purchase for Copilot for Microsoft 365 plans.
  • Microsoft has altogether removed the requirement to have Micrsoft 365 subscription so henceforth uses with Office 365 E3 and E5 are able to purchase. Microsoft is also extending Semantic Index for Copilot to Office 365 Pro users. Semantic Index works with the Copilot System and the Microsoft Graph to create a sophisticated map of all the data and content in your organization—enabling Microsoft 365 Copilot to deliver personalized, relevant, and actionable responses.
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365 is generally available for small and medium-sized businesses—from solopreneurs running and launching their first business to 300-person fast-growing startups.

• Pricing and Accessibility: The Cost-Benefit Analysis

Microsoft’s early strategic support and investment with Open AI for ChatGPT is paying off well with similar pricing like ChatGPT but with more customized and premium offerings. The most apparent difference is the cost; Microsoft Copilot, as part of the Microsoft service suite, comes with a price tag that reflects its premium offerings.

Copilot subscription is active for $20 / month per user; if you have subscribed to Microsoft 365 Family subscription then you need to buy Microsoft Copilot subscription for each person individually.

Copilot Pro will not work with Microsoft 365 Business subscription (i.e. Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Apps for Business). To use Copilot with a Microsoft 365 Business subscription, buy Copilot for Microsoft 365.

If you are using either Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 for $30 per user per month.

You can still use the free version of Copilot by visiting visit copilot.microsoft.com. However, the adage “you get what you pay for” often applies; the advanced features, security, and integration that Copilot offers may justify the expense for those with more robust needs.

Soaring Higher with Microsoft Copilot

The decision between Microsoft Copilot Pro and free Copilot version comes down to your specific requirements, budget, and preference for integration. For users and businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem looking for an AI tool that offers advanced capabilities, security, and bespoke customization, Copilot Pro is a go to choice with enhanced and faster response time and better user experience. However, for casual users, startups, or those exploring Copilot’s potential, free Copilot version present an invaluable resource to learn, experiment, and grow without upfront costs.

As AI capabilities with ChatGPT continue to evolve, the skies of technological possibilities are expanding. Whether you choose to soar with the advanced capabilities of Microsoft Copilot Pro or test the waters with accessible free Copilot version, the journey ahead is filled with innovation and discovery

You can learn more about Copilot here: Copilot help & learning site

For more information on Business Plans Subscription: Expanding Copilot for Microsoft 365 to businesses of all sizes | Microsoft 365 Blog