Microsoft is poised to diversify its AI power sources for its Copilot features in Office 365, integrating Anthropic’s cutting-edge Claude models. The Information reported that Microsoft will announce this integration in the coming weeks, marking a significant development in the tech giant’s AI strategy. Currently, the majority of Copilot’s functionality within Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint relies heavily on OpenAI’s technology.
This strategic shift raises questions about the future of Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI, its largest investor and a key partner in the development of several AI initiatives. While Microsoft insists this move is not driven by conflict, recent reports have highlighted tensions between the two companies concerning OpenAI’s restructuring as a public benefit corporation. A Microsoft spokesperson emphasized the company’s continued commitment to its long-term partnership with OpenAI.
However, internal assessments at Microsoft appear to favor Anthropic’s Claude 4 Sonnet. Sources indicate that Claude’s performance surpasses GPT-5 in subtle yet important ways, particularly in generating aesthetically pleasing outputs, such as enhanced PowerPoint presentations. This preference is noteworthy considering that Claude 4 Sonnet is not even Anthropic’s flagship offering.
The financial implications are also noteworthy. To access Claude 4 Sonnet, Microsoft will utilize Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anthropic’s cloud provider, incurring costs. Despite this additional expense, Microsoft has confirmed that Copilot pricing will remain unchanged at $30 per user per month. This underscores Microsoft’s strategic commitment to integrating Anthropic’s technology without burdening its Office 365 users.
