Microsoft Offers Free Access to OpenAI’s o1 AI Model through Copilot

Microsoft is making a bold move to decrease the cost barrier for advanced AI tools by providing what appears to be free access to OpenAI's o1 model through its Copilot feature, specifically the new "Think Deeper" function.

Key to this announcement is the fact that users can now enjoy this service at no cost. OpenAI initially released the o1 model back in December, with CEO Sam Altman claiming it to be the most powerful AI model available; however, accessing it required either a $200 monthly subscription for ChatGPT Pro or a limited version at $20 per month through ChatGPT Plus.

On Wednesday, Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft AI, stated that Copilot users can enjoy access to the o1 model without additional fees. (Update: Microsoft also mentioned that there might be some usage limitations depending on demand.) This access is facilitated through the "Think Deeper" feature in Copilot, which takes a short time to gather and analyze information before providing a response.

With the Copilot app now functioning as a progressive web app (PWA), users can easily access it via the built-in Copilot app on Windows or directly at copilot.microsoft.com after signing in with a Microsoft account.

To use the "Think Deeper" functionality, ensure that the toggle switch is activated before submitting your question.

The "Think Deeper" function serves as a more thoughtful counterpart to Copilot's usual shorter responses. However, it is not designed to operate as a traditional search engine; the feature clarifies that its knowledge is current only up to October 2023.

Instead, "Think Deeper" specializes in producing in-depth analyses, such as connecting the evaporation cycle to hurricane formation or providing historical event insights. It can even write and explain code, for instance, when requested to create a basic Windows application based on a user's name, resulting in the generation of comprehensive C# code after a brief processing time.

As of now, Microsoft has not indicated any plans to charge for the "Think Deeper" feature, whether as a direct payment, subscription fee, or through a credit system as part of a revised Microsoft 365 plan that includes Copilot Plus. A spokesperson from Microsoft did not provide an immediate comment.

However, the AI landscape evolves rapidly, and OpenAI has already unveiled the o3 model, which claims to employ a "private chain of thought" for generating more complex answers. Early benchmark results suggest that o3 is considerably more adept at addressing software engineering tasks and solving intricate logical problems, though it is highly unlikely to be available for free.

Microsoft, AI, OpenAI