Microsoft announced this week that it will integrate OpenAI’s advanced “o1” reasoning model into its Copilot platform—for free. Previously reserved for paying Copilot Pro subscribers, the feature, dubbed Think Deeper, will now empower all of Copilot’s “tens of millions” of users to tackle complex problems without the $20/month price tag.

Microsoft’s Copilot, an AI assistant embedded across Windows, Edge, and Office apps, has steadily evolved since its 2023 launch. The addition of Think Deeper marks a pivotal shift: advanced reasoning capabilities once locked behind paywalls are now accessible to everyone.

• How it works: When users click Think Deeper, Copilot’s o1 model analyzes queries from “all angles and perspectives,” delivering step-by-step solutions in roughly 30 seconds.
• Use cases: From coding intricate apps to planning cross-country road trips or comparing financial investments, the tool is designed for multifaceted tasks requiring deeper analysis.

“The possible uses here are really infinite. I’m genuinely so excited that our tens of millions of users are all getting this opportunity,” explains Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s AI CEO, in a LinkedIn post announcing the rollout.

Microsoft first teased Think Deeper in October 2024 via Copilot Labs, a testing ground for Pro subscribers. Early adopters praised its ability to break down technical queries, like debugging code or optimizing workflows, with clear, methodical responses.

Now, by removing the paywall, Microsoft is positioning Copilot as a gateway to premium AI for the masses—a stark contrast to rivals like ChatGPT Plus or Google’s Gemini Advanced, which reserve advanced features for subscribers.

OpenAI’s o1 model represents a leap in reasoning-focused AI, prioritizing logical structuring over rapid-fire responses. While standard AI models generate answers instantly, o1 spends ~30 seconds simulating deeper analysis, akin to a human brainstorming multiple solutions.

• Speed vs. depth: The delay isn’t a bug—it’s intentional. Quick answers are great for trivia, but complex decisions require time. This trade-off could redefine user expectations for AI.
• Ethical guardrails: Microsoft confirms that o1 includes safeguards to minimize biases and inaccuracies, though experts caution that no AI is infallible.

Microsoft’s decision pressures competitors to follow suit. Analysts note that Google, Anthropic, and startups like Perplexity now face heightened expectations to offer advanced AI tools without subscription fees.

Suleyman’s LinkedIn tease—“We’ve got so much more in the pipeline”—hints at upcoming upgrades. Industry watchers speculate about multimodal features (think image/video analysis) or deeper Office app integrations, like AI-driven Excel modeling.