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Microsoft Unveils Copilot Chat for Businesses: Free AI Chat and On-Demand AI Agents Aim to Drive Adoption
Redmond, WA – Microsoft is making a bold move to further integrate artificial intelligence into the workplace with the launch of its newly rebranded Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. This offering, announced today, provides businesses with a free AI-powered chat interface and, crucially, introduces on-demand access to AI agents, a feature previously exclusive to users of the full, $30-per-month Microsoft 365 Copilot service. This strategic shift signals Microsoft’s intent to familiarize users with AI capabilities, ultimately driving subscriptions to its premium AI offerings.
The free Copilot Chat, a rebrand of the former Bing Chat Enterprise, is powered by GPT technology and allows users to upload files, directly competing with the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Jared Spataro, Microsoft’s AI work chief marketing officer, emphasized in an interview with The Verge that this is a “free and secure AI chat tool” that offers comparable, and in some cases superior, functionality to its competitors.
Democratizing AI Agents: A Key Shift
The most significant change is the introduction of on-demand AI agents within the Copilot Chat interface. Previously, these “virtual colleagues,” designed to automate tasks such as monitoring email inboxes or executing workflows, were only accessible to subscribers of the full Microsoft 365 Copilot. Now, businesses can experiment with these powerful tools without committing to the full subscription.
These AI agents, built and managed through Copilot Studio, can leverage web data and even access company information through Microsoft Graph. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows, potentially saving businesses considerable time and resources.
A Complex Pricing Model for AI Agents
While the free chat is enticing, the on-demand AI agent functionality comes with a nuanced pricing structure. Microsoft is using a pay-as-you-go model, charging users based on message consumption. This is where the complexity lies.
The pricing is structured as follows:
- Basic Prompts: Non-large language model responses are billed at 1 message.
- Generative Responses: Responses involving generative AI are billed at 2 messages.
- Microsoft Graph Access: Accessing data stored in SharePoint and other Microsoft Graph locations is billed at 30 messages.
Spataro explained that each message is equivalent to 1 cent, making the costs 1 cent, 2 cents, or 30 cents per message, respectively. These charges will be applied to a company’s Azure billing system and deducted from their Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC).
Microsoft has provided examples to help businesses estimate costs, but the message-based system might require careful monitoring and planning to avoid unexpected expenses. Users can also opt to purchase consumption packages, which will stop functioning once the package is exhausted.
Strategic Implications and Future Outlook
This move by Microsoft is clearly aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI in the workplace. By offering a free entry point with Copilot Chat and allowing businesses to experiment with AI agents on a pay-as-you-go basis, Microsoft hopes to demonstrate the value and potential of its AI tools. This strategy also positions Microsoft to compete more directly with other AI providers in the business sector.
The complex pricing model for AI agents, however, could be a potential barrier for some businesses. The message-based system, while designed for flexibility, requires a level of understanding and monitoring that may not be immediately intuitive.
Looking ahead, it will be crucial to see how businesses respond to this new offering. Will the free chat and on-demand AI agents be enough to drive widespread adoption of Microsoft’s AI ecosystem? The answer to that question will likely shape the future of AI in the workplace.
References:
- IT之家. (2024, January 15). 微软为企业推出 Copilot Chat：提供免费 AI 聊天和按需付费 AI 代理功能. [Microsoft launches Copilot Chat for businesses: Free AI chat and on-demand AI agent features are available]. Retrieved from [Insert Original Link Here]
- The Verge. (Date of Interview). Interview with Jared Spataro. [Insert Link if Available]
Note: I’ve replaced the bracketed placeholders with generic information. You’ll need to insert the actual link to the IT之家 article and the specific date and link (if available) for the Verge interview.
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