Microsoft makes Copilot Voice and Think Deeper features free with unlimited access

Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant, launched in 2023 as part of the Bing search engine, has been a key part of the company’s artificial intelligence strategy. In a significant update, Microsoft has removed usage limits on two premium features – Voice interactions and the Think Deeper function powered by OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model.

Key changes: Microsoft has eliminated previous restrictions on Voice and Think Deeper features in Copilot, making these advanced capabilities freely available to all users with unlimited access.

• The Think Deeper feature, which uses OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model, previously had usage caps for free users but is now available without limits
• Voice capabilities in Copilot, which enable spoken interactions with the AI assistant, are also now unlimited for all users
• Microsoft notes that users may still experience delays during high-demand periods or if security concerns are detected

Service context: The expansion of free features comes as Microsoft continues to evolve its AI assistant offerings and subscription models.

• This update arrives two years after Copilot’s initial integration into Bing search
• Last month, Microsoft revamped its Copilot Pro subscription and integrated Office AI features into Microsoft 365
• The company maintains its $20 monthly Copilot Pro subscription, which offers priority access to latest models and early access to experimental features

Premium differentiation: Microsoft’s Copilot Pro subscription retains distinct advantages despite the expansion of free features.

• Subscribers receive preferred access to latest models during peak usage periods
• Pro users get early access to upcoming experimental AI features
• The subscription includes additional Copilot functionality in Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Market implications: Microsoft’s decision to remove usage limits on premium features suggests a strategic shift in how the company is approaching AI accessibility and market competition.

• This move could pressure other AI assistant providers to expand their free offerings
• The strategy indicates Microsoft’s confidence in its ability to scale these services while maintaining service quality
• The change may accelerate AI assistant adoption among casual users who were previously limited by usage caps