Microsoft is making a bold move by offering advanced AI capabilities at no cost to Windows users. Previously, accessing the top-tier reasoning of OpenAI’s o1 model came with a hefty price tag: $200 per month for unlimited access through ChatGPT Pro. Even the more affordable option, ChatGPT Plus at $20 per month, only provided limited access to this powerful model.
However, Microsoft’s Chief of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, recently announced that Windows users can now tap into the o1 model via Copilot’s new “Think Deeper” feature, completely free of charge. This means that anyone using Copilot will have what appears to be unrestricted access to one of the most sophisticated AI models available today.
The significance of this development lies in the fact that OpenAI had previously emphasized the immense power of the o1 model when it was released in December. CEO Sam Altman touted it as the most capable model on the market, but its accessibility was restricted by the expensive subscription options. Now, thanks to Microsoft, the barrier to entry has been removed for Windows users.
To access this feature, users need to interact with Copilot, which is now simply a Progressive Web App (PWA) accessible either through the Copilot app on Windows or directly via copilot.microsoft.com. A Microsoft account is required for login. Within Copilot, the “Think Deeper” function operates like a toggle switch. Users just need to ensure it’s activated before submitting their queries.
“Think Deeper” is designed to deliver more thoughtful and detailed responses compared to the often brief replies from standard Copilot interactions. While it shouldn’t be mistaken for a real-time search engine—its information is current up to October 2023—it excels at providing in-depth, evergreen research. For instance, it can connect complex topics like the evaporation cycle to hurricane formation or analyze historical events comprehensively. Moreover, it can generate and explain code. When asked to create a basic Windows application based on a user’s first name, Think Deeper delivered a thorough process, complete with custom C# source files after a few moments of processing.
In summary, Microsoft is democratizing access to cutting-edge AI, allowing users to leverage advanced reasoning capabilities without the prohibitive costs previously associated with such technology. This move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to integrating high-level AI tools into everyday computing experiences.