Microsoft Revamps ChatGPT-Style Chatbot to Boost Adoption in Workplace AI
Microsoft Corporation is making another push to increase adoption of its ChatGPT-style chatbot by renaming it Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, the latest rebranding since its debut as Bing Chat Enterprise in 2023.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, offered free to all Microsoft 365 users, provides businesses with AI-powered tools such as data synthesis, document analysis, and customer service assistance. However, the chatbot has taken a back seat to other AI-driven Copilots integrated into Microsoft apps like Word and Excel.
“Most people don’t know that they have it, and it’s not something we’ve done a lot of marketing around,” said Jared Spataro, Microsoft’s head of workplace AI tools, as the company moves to raise the chatbot’s visibility.
To enhance its functionality, Microsoft plans to add features like access to autonomous bots, known as agents, capable of performing specialized tasks such as retrieving customer account details or technical specifications. These services will come at an additional cost, with charges ranging from two cents for a custom response to 30 cents for actions involving Microsoft app data.
This pricing strategy significantly undercuts competitors like Salesforce, whose agents cost $2 per conversation. Other companies such as ServiceNow, Workday, and SAP are also expanding their AI bot offerings to streamline workplace tasks.
Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat provides an accessible and affordable entry point into AI tools for businesses, according to Spataro, making it a strong contender in the competitive landscape of workplace AI solutions.
