AI features in Microsoft Office free for Microsoft 365 subscribers

Microsoft appears to have abandoned the idea of ​​charging Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscribers an extra $20 per month for access to AI-powered Office features. The software giant has quietly announced that Copilot Pro features will be part of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, but for now only for users in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Image source: Microsoft

«It’s been nine months since we introduced Copilot to consumers in our Microsoft 365 Apps through the Copilot Pro AI assistant. We’ve spent this time integrating new features, improving performance, and continuing to listen closely to customer feedback. Based on this feedback, we are making Copilot part of our Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions,” Microsoft said in a press release.

In addition, in the markets mentioned above, the Microsoft Designer app will also be part of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions. “Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers will receive monthly AI credits to use Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Designer. Credits will also apply to apps such as Paint, Photos and Notepad for Windows,” the company said in a statement. It is noted that only the owner of the Family subscription will have access to AI functions, and he will not be able to share access to Copilot with other family members.

Amid the integration of Copilot Pro into Microsoft 365, the software giant did not forget about increasing the cost of monthly subscriptions. “To reflect the value we’ve delivered over the last decade and to ensure we can continue to innovate for years to come, we’re raising prices on Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans. The price increase will apply to existing subscribers at their next subscription renewal,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Price increases vary depending on the market. For example, in Australia, the price of a Microsoft 365 Family subscription has increased by AUD 4 per month, and Personal by AUD 5 per month. However, this is significantly less than the AU$33 per month that Microsoft originally wanted to charge for access to Copilot Pro in the country. It is not yet known how the cost of a Microsoft 365 subscription will change in other regions.