Microsoft is reportedly implementing modifications to its Microsoft 365 subscription in select regions, aiming to extend access to its Copilot AI assistant. According to sources, the technology firm based in Redmond has begun to package the Copilot tool, which is integrated into various applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, within its subscription service. However, this enhancement is accompanied by an increase in the pricing of the cloud-based offering in these regions.
Microsoft 365 Subscription Bundled with Copilot
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that this new feature is being rolled out through the standard Microsoft 365 subscription in Australia and several Southeast Asian nations. Notably, this rollout requires no action from users, and the AI chatbot is integrated automatically with no option for exclusion.
While the introduction of a new feature would typically be seen as a welcome update, the simultaneous hike in subscription costs in these regions raises concerns. Unlike users in the United States, India, and other locations, subscribers in the impacted areas are not afforded the choice to opt out of AI functionalities.
The report mentions Alistair Fleming, an Australian YouTuber, as an example of how aggressively Microsoft is promoting the AI capabilities. Fleming noted that he receives frequent reminder notifications from Copilot while drafting his video scripts in Word, with the AI’s logo appearing alongside offers of assistance with his writing.
“It was very keen to be used, and this was irritating to me as a user,” Fleming stated in his comments to the publication. He also revealed that his Microsoft 365 subscription increased from AUD 11 (approximately Rs. 585) to AUD 16 (about Rs. 852). It remains uncertain whether Microsoft has communicated these changes and the associated price adjustments to its users via email.
Initially perceived as an experimental rollout, it is unclear if Microsoft intends to expand this strategy to additional regions. Presently, the standard Microsoft 365 subscription in India does not include Copilot features. Users can opt for the AI assistant by paying an extra Rs. 2,495 per month for the Copilot 365 add-on, a pricing strategy also employed by Google’s competing offerings.
