Microsoft will work to diversify the technologies that power Copilotits AI-based assistant integrated into Microsoft 365. According to sources cited by Reuters, the company is trying to reduce its dependence on OpenAI, a key partner in the development of this product, by exploring its own and third-party models. The move, if confirmed, would reflect a strategic shift aimed at optimizing costs and improving product speed and efficiency, which are critical factors in the competitive AI market.

Since its announcement in February 2023, Microsoft Copilot (originally presented as the new Bing) has been one of the main exponents of chatbots, especially since it switched to GPT-4 as the underlying technology just a month later. This collaboration allowed Microsoft to highlight the advanced capabilities of Copilot, especially in the Redmond office suite, in tasks such as creating Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. However, economic and performance requirements would lead the company to this explore alternatives such as training smaller internal models, including Phi-4and adaptation of open source models. Although the company has not officially confirmed these plans, a spokesperson noted that OpenAI remains a key partner for the most advanced models, a collaboration that Microsoft considers strategic for its products.

Technological diversification would not be limited to Copilot. According to the leak, Microsoft would replicate decisions already made in other divisions in its office suite. GitHub, which the company acquired in 2018, recently incorporated models from Anthropic and Google as alternatives to OpenAI for your Copilot assistant. This strategy seeks to reduce technology dependency, improve profitability and ultimately offer users faster solutions tailored to their needs.

The case of Copilot in Microsoft 365 reflects this challenges the company faces to convince its business clients. According to a survey conducted by Gartner in August, most companies testing Microsoft 365 Copilot have not yet progressed beyond the pilot phase due to concerns about cost and usability. This slow progress contrasts with positive data such as Copilot being used by 70% of Fortune 500 companies, as reported by Microsoft in November. Additionally, analysts at BNP Paribas Exane expect the service to reach more than 10 million paying users this year, a number that demonstrates growing interest in the tool.

In this context, Microsoft’s moves to diversify and optimize Copilot technology have significant implications. By relying less on OpenAI, the company could reduce operating costs and speed up the implementation of new featureswhich would represent a direct benefit to business customers. The approach could also strengthen its position against competitors such as Anthropic and Google, which are gaining ground in the enterprise AI market.

Although official confirmation of these plans is lacking, Microsoft’s recent decisions reflect a strategic vision that combines innovation and efficiency. Technological diversification at Copilot could be a turning point in a relationship with OpenAI as the company seeks to balance its business goals with the demands of an ever-evolving market.