The AI sphere was rather dull and quiet, but things are changing fast.
After OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, and following the fact that Microsoft is one of the largest backers of OpenAI, Microsoft began a full-throttle push towards bringing its AI initiatives throughout its products and services.
After rolling general availability for the AI, and then rebrands Bing AI to Copilot, Microsoft is quickly seeing a massive business opportunity.
Taking cues from OpenAI which introduced ChatGPT Plus, Microsoft is taking another great step towards profit.
And that is by launching 'Copilot Pro'.
Introducing your Copilot for writing, cooking, designing, and so much more.
Discover Copilot Pro, our new premium subscription that gives you the most advanced AI capabilities, including building your own Copilot GPTs: https://t.co/WZ0nIcyDog— Microsoft (@Microsoft) January 15, 2024
Microsoft said that small businesses can subscribe to its Copilot virtual assistant in the company's productivity apps. And that consumers who pay for the Microsoft 365 software can sign up for the paid version of Copilot.
Copilot Pro, which is aimed at paying customers of Microsoft, is meant to help Microsoft expose more of its customers to generative artificial intelligence, a technology startup OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot popularized, which is powered by Large Language model that can compose natural-sounding text with a person's brief written command.
By paying $20, subscribers should be able to enjoy the privilege of receiving "priority access to the very latest models — starting today with OpenAI's GPT-4 Turbo," Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's head of Windows and Surface,said.
They should also be able to use the cutting-edge model during the busiest times, and switch between models at will.
Also, they can also have the ability to design custom chatbots using a tool called Copilot GPT Builder.
"Whether you need advanced help with writing, coding, designing, researching or learning, Copilot Pro brings greater performance, productivity and creativity," Mehdi wrote.
Before this, people who wish to use Copilot can do so by accessing it for free in a variety of ways, including in Bing search engine, as well as on its own apps and website.
By opening up subscription, Microsoft is expanding access, and in turn should help it cover the costs of building data center infrastructure that enables AI.
And more importantly, it can also help Microsoft compete in the tech space against Google, and also against OpenAI itself.
Investors have been betting on Microsoft to capitalize on generative AI demand in operating systems, cloud, productivity, web search and security, even as it faces competition from the likes of Amazon and Google.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, has been conveying that AI is at the center of the software maker's identity.
"Our vision is pretty straightforward. We are the Copilot company," Nadella said at Microsoft's Ignite conference in Seattle back in November 2023.