
Microsoft is expanding access to its AI capabilities by introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, a free AI chat service for its commercial customers that includes pay-as-you-go AI agents. Previously, the only options were Microsoft 365 Copilot ($30 per user per month) and $200 for 25,000 messages/month for access to AI agents with Copilot Studio. This pricing change will ensure enterprise AI tools are more accessible to organizations of all sizes.
Key Points:
- Free AI chat powered by GPT-4o available to all Microsoft 365 commercial customers
- Pay-as-you-go AI agents priced at $0.01 per message
- Enterprise security controls included with data protection and usage management features
Microsoft is rolling out a new tier of its Copilot service that allows companies to start using AI tools without upfront licensing costs. The new offering, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, provides organizations with a free entry point to AI-powered productivity tools while introducing a flexible payment model for more advanced features.
The service enables users to perform a wide range of tasks, from analyzing spreadsheets to generating images for marketing campaigns. Users can upload documents for AI analysis and collaborate in real-time through Copilot Pages, a feature that combines human and AI input. The system is built on GPT-4o and includes security measures designed specifically for business use.
For organizations looking to automate business processes, Microsoft has introduced a pay-as-you-go model for AI agents. These agents can be created directly within the chat interface and are billed based on usage, with rates starting at $0.01 per message. Companies can also opt for pre-paid packages, such as 25,000 messages per month for $200.
The pricing structure varies depending on the complexity of tasks. Basic predefined responses cost one message credit, while more sophisticated generative answers that draw from company knowledge bases cost two message credits. More complex features, such as accessing data from Microsoft Graph, are priced at 30 message credits per retrieval.
Microsoft's Enterprise Data Protection (EDP) system is built into the service, allowing IT administrators to manage access controls and monitor usage patterns. This addresses common enterprise concerns about data security and governance in AI systems.
The release comes as Microsoft observes increasing adoption of its AI tools across various industries. "We're seeing companies of all sizes looking to scale their AI transformation and realize the enterprise-wide ROI that comes with broad adoption," a Microsoft spokesperson noted in the announcement.
While Copilot Chat offers a free entry point, Microsoft maintains its premium Microsoft 365 Copilot service ($30 per user per month) for users requiring more extensive features. The premium version includes integration with Microsoft's core productivity apps and additional capabilities like Copilot Actions.
This strategic pricing approach appears designed to remove barriers to AI adoption while creating a clear upgrade path for organizations as their AI needs grow. By offering a free base tier with pay-as-you-go options, Microsoft is positioning itself to capture a broader share of the enterprise AI market while helping organizations manage their transition to AI-enhanced workflows.