Microsoft has recently upgraded its artificial intelligence assistant, Copilot, by integrating the advanced GPT-4 Turbo model into its free service tier. This enhancement allows users of the free tier to access GPT-4 Turbo by selecting either Creative or Precise mode, a feature previously exclusive to Copilot Pro subscribers. However, Copilot Pro users still have the flexibility to switch between GPT-4 Turbo and older AI models as desired. Mikhail Parakhin, CEO of Microsoft’s advertising and web services division, announced this addition in a statement on the social media platform X.
GPT-4 Turbo is renowned for its capability to process up to 128,000 tokens and provide text-to-speech functionalities. It represents the most advanced version of OpenAI’s models thus far, trained on data available up to April 2023. Microsoft’s decision to introduce Copilot and integrate it across various platforms, including Windows 11, Bing, Microsoft 365, and the Edge browser, is aimed at seamlessly integrating AI into user experiences. The Pro tier of Copilot, priced at $20 per month, offers additional AI-powered features in Office apps, as well as early access to new models and enhanced image creation tools.
This development aligns with a broader trend of technology companies incorporating generative AI into their products, following the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Competitors such as Google, Samsung, and potentially Apple are exploring or have already introduced AI features in their offerings. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to innovate by enabling the creation of specialized AI applications, while competitors are also upgrading their AI chatbots.
Speculation about the next iteration of OpenAI’s model, GPT-4.5 Turbo, has arisen from a now-deleted blog post on OpenAI’s website, hinting at improvements over GPT-4 Turbo in terms of speed, accuracy, and scalability. This suggests that Microsoft may reserve the upcoming GPT-4.5 Turbo model for its Copilot Pro tier, thus providing distinct advantages to paying subscribers.
In summary, Microsoft’s integration of the GPT-4 Turbo model into Copilot’s free tier reflects the company’s commitment to advancing AI technology and making it more accessible to users. This move also underscores the competitive landscape in the AI sector, with companies continuously striving to enhance their offerings and stay ahead in the market.
