Microsoft works to add non-OpenAI models into 365 Copilot products, sources say

By: asiaone.com

Dec 24 2024
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Microsoft works to add non-OpenAI models into 365 Copilot products, sources say — Microsoft works to add non-Ope

Microsoft has been working on adding internal and third-party artificial intelligence models to power its flagship AI product Microsoft 365 Copilot, in a bid to diversify from the current underlying technology from OpenAI and reduce costs, sources familiar with the effort told Reuters.

It is the latest effort by Microsoft, which is a major backer of OpenAI, to lessen its dependence on the AI startup — a departure from recent years when Microsoft touted its early access to OpenAI's models. When Microsoft announced 365 Copilot in March 2023, a major selling point was that it used OpenAI's GPT-4 model.

Microsoft is also seeking to reduce 365 Copilot's reliance on OpenAI due to concerns about cost and speed for enterprise users, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private matters.

A Microsoft spokesperson said OpenAI continues as the company's partner on frontier models, a term for the most advanced AI models available. The original agreement between the two companies allows the software giant to customise OpenAI's models.