Microsoft Offers Free Access to OpenAI's Powerful o1 Model

Microsoft has made a bold move to make advanced AI technology more accessible to users. This comes with the announcement that Windows users can now access OpenAI’s o1 model for free through a new feature in their Copilot tool called “Think Deeper.”

The significance of this development lies in the fact that OpenAI’s o1 model, which was launched in December, was initially available through two subscription plans. The premium ChatGPT Pro subscription costs a staggering $200 per month, while the more affordable ChatGPT Plus service is priced at $20 per month but offers limited access to the powerful model.

Recently, Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, revealed that users of the Copilot feature will now have free access to the o1 model. While Microsoft announced unlimited access, it was later clarified that there might be some restrictions on usage based on demand at certain times. Users can utilize the model through the “Think Deeper” functionality, which takes a moment to analyze questions and provide well-researched answers.

To use the Think Deeper feature, users can access the Copilot by visiting copilot.microsoft.com or using the Copilot application directly on Windows. It is essential to sign in with a Microsoft account to use this feature. Think Deeper operates similarly to a toggle switch, and users need to ensure it is activated before entering their inquiries.

This new feature aims to provide more comprehensive responses, moving away from the shorter, less detailed outputs that Copilot has been known for. However, it is important to note that Think Deeper is not meant to function as a search engine. Instead, it offers insights and elaborates on broader topics, such as the relationship between the water cycle and storm systems, or even analyzing historical events.

Additionally, Think Deeper can also assist in programming tasks. For instance, when asked to create a basic Windows application that generates a maze based on the letters of a user's name, it can provide detailed steps and even generate custom C# source code in a matter of seconds.

Currently, Microsoft has not disclosed any plans to monetize the Think Deeper feature through direct charges or a subscription model, nor has it hinted at utilizing a credit system as part of its Microsoft 365 offers, which includes Copilot Plus. A request for clarification from Microsoft on this topic did not receive an immediate response.

As the AI industry is continually evolving, it's worthwhile to mention that OpenAI has already moved forward with the announcement of its new o3 model, which reportedly employs a “private chain of thought” to deliver more complex responses. Early benchmarks suggest that o3 will be significantly more adept in tackling software engineering challenges and logical reasoning, though it may not be available for free.

Microsoft, AI, OpenAI