Microsoft Launches Copilot AI Assistant for Small Businesses and Consumers

By Jace Dela Cruz

Jan 16 2024, 02:08 AM EST

Microsoft introduced its Copilot virtual assistant for small businesses on Tuesday, allowing them to subscribe to the company's AI-powered tool in its productivity apps.

According to CNBC, consumers paying for the Microsoft 365 software can also sign on for a new paid version of Copilot, exposing more of its customers to generative AI, which refers to deep-learning models that can produce various types of content, including high-quality text and images, based on the data they were trained.

Microsoft Launches Copilot AI Assistant for Small Businesses and Consumers — Microsoft has introduced its Copilot virtual assistant for small businesses, allowing them to subscribe to the company's AI-powered tool in its productivity apps. Microsoft

Microsoft Launches Copilot Virtual Assistant

Microsoft's Copilot aims to bring the capabilities of generative AI to a broader audience across various aspects of work and personal life.

The new offerings include the Copilot Pro, a new Copilot subscription for individuals priced at $20 per individual per month, which gives users access to the latest ChatGPT releases, Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps, and other new features.

Copilot Pro boasts foundational capabilities across various devices, offering a seamless experience that understands users' context on the web, PC, apps, and soon on mobile phones. It prioritizes the latest models, starting with OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo, providing faster performance during peak times.

Copilot Pro also introduces the ability to toggle between models for a more customized experience. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers can use Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, with enhanced AI image creation and the option to build a pre-customized Copilot tailored to a specific topic using the upcoming Copilot GPT Builder.

Copilot Studio of Microsoft

For organizations, Copilot for Microsoft 365 offers the same priority access to the latest models, integrated into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams.

It also introduces Copilot Studio, allowing organizations to customize Copilot for Microsoft 365, build custom Copilots and plugins, and manage and secure their customizations.

Microsoft is making Copilot more accessible by removing the 300-seat purchase minimum for Copilot for Microsoft 365 commercial plans. The prerequisite for Microsoft 365 is also eliminated, making Office 365 E3 and E5 customers eligible to buy Copilot.

Small and medium-sized businesses can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 for $30 per user per month, and the tool is available to users of Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium.