Microsoft’s AI companion, Copilot, has upgraded to using OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo for free, offering an extended context window of up to 128,000 tokens and a dataset that extends up to April 2023. The Turbo mode is accessible for all users, not just Copilot Pro subscribers, and can be activated by switching to “Precise” or “Creative” mode. Although the improvement from GPT-4 to GPT-4 Turbo is not substantial, it is designed to reduce “laziness” evident with the model and provide more current information when used in offline mode. Users who pay for Copilot Pro now have the option to switch back to GPT-4 if they prefer. This upgrade enhances Copilot’s appeal as a generative AI tool, especially since it is integrated into Windows, Microsoft 365, and Edge, and available as a standalone app on Android and iOS. The free tier of Copilot now offers similar benefits to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable AI companion without the need for a paid subscription. This move aligns with Microsoft’s strategic positioning, given its significant investment in the technology.
