Microsoft continues to make bold moves in artificial intelligence (AI), and their latest announcement sprinkles a little more magic into the world of tech. The company has decided to make OpenAI's formidable o1 reasoning model, previously exclusive to paid tiers, completely free for all users of Microsoft Copilot. Cue the applause.
This is not just about Microsoft being magnanimous—they’ve bundled the groundbreaking "Think Deeper" feature into the Copilot experience. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, formally introduced this breakthrough on January 30, 2025, igniting a buzz across the tech community. But what makes this announcement a big deal? Let’s break it down.
The model emphasizes reasoning, meaning it takes additional time (slightly longer wait-times, in some cases) to deliver thoroughly thought-out answers. Imagine asking your AI assistant not just “How do I cook a steak?” but “Why does reverse-searing a steak improve its flavor and texture?”—and getting an in-depth, informative response instead of just a general cooking method.
The o1 model becomes particularly potent when tackling intricacies in science, mathematics, or even coding. It’s designed to analyze multiple chain reactions, break down each step, and deliver explanations that anyone from a student to a professional coder would find immensely valuable.
Here’s why it matters:
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has been turning heads lately with its R1 reasoning model. In fact, R1 has become so popular it recently unseated ChatGPT as the top AI app on Apple’s App Store. Proving highly versatile, DeepSeek is luring users away from Microsoft's ecosystem, posing a serious potential threat to its dominance. Microsoft’s Suleyman subtly acknowledged this during his remarks, emphasizing the importance of “powerful AI tools without subscription constraints.” Translation: Keep people in the Copilot fold by leveling the playing field.
By offering better tools for free, Microsoft is setting a new standard in the tech arms race. Not only is it countering competitors like DeepSeek with a more feature-rich experience, but it’s also incentivizing new users to explore Copilot as their go-to personal assistant.
By removing paywalls for advanced reasoning, Microsoft is inviting millions to actively engage with and explore what AI can truly do. This feels revolutionary, especially when considering the potential impact across various industries:
Nonetheless, the user gains seem to outweigh the drawbacks for now, especially given the clear advantages advanced reasoning offers. Still, it remains to be seen how rivals like OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek will answer back in this fiery game of one-upmanship.
The introduction of the OpenAI o1 model-level reasoning to Copilot is more than just a feature update—it’s a step towards making AI as pervasive as the PC revolution itself. With "Think Deeper," Microsoft is setting the tone for an AI future built on capability, accessibility, and most importantly, human empowerment.
So, are you ready to dive in? Let us know in the comments how you plan to use Think Deeper to level up your day-to-day problem solving—or tackle your next moonshot of a project!
Source: Evrim Ağacı https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/microsoft-makes-openais-o1-model-free-for-copilot-users-172827
This is not just about Microsoft being magnanimous—they’ve bundled the groundbreaking "Think Deeper" feature into the Copilot experience. Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, formally introduced this breakthrough on January 30, 2025, igniting a buzz across the tech community. But what makes this announcement a big deal? Let’s break it down.
"Think Deeper": What Exactly is It?
The newly unveiled Think Deeper feature is essentially a turbo-charged analytical engine. Built on OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model, it enables users to receive detailed, step-by-step responses to complex queries. But don’t confuse this with older AI iterations we've seen before—this functionality doesn’t just answer questions; it thinks.The model emphasizes reasoning, meaning it takes additional time (slightly longer wait-times, in some cases) to deliver thoroughly thought-out answers. Imagine asking your AI assistant not just “How do I cook a steak?” but “Why does reverse-searing a steak improve its flavor and texture?”—and getting an in-depth, informative response instead of just a general cooking method.
The o1 model becomes particularly potent when tackling intricacies in science, mathematics, or even coding. It’s designed to analyze multiple chain reactions, break down each step, and deliver explanations that anyone from a student to a professional coder would find immensely valuable.
Elevating Copilot: Why Does It Matter?
Copilot—Microsoft’s digital assistant designed to supercharge productivity—already boasts a loyal user base. By including the o1 reasoning model in the free tier, Microsoft is making advanced analytical tools more accessible than ever.Here’s why it matters:
- Depth Over Speed: Instead of focusing solely on "quick" responses, the o1 model digs deeper. For example, career advice queries like, "How can I switch from an accounting career to data science?" might result in a detailed, step-by-step roadmap including key milestones, training programs, and potential timelines—contextualized for your individual aspirations.
- Problem-solving for Power Users: The o1 model doesn’t just spit out surface-level suggestions. Whether you're debugging code or tackling large-scale scientific problems, this AI brings its A-game, delivering precise, actionable insights.
- Accessibility Over Exclusivity: Until now, advanced reasoning capabilities like these were locked behind pricey subscription models. Making these tools available to everyone marks a shift in tech democratization, breaking down barriers for users who might otherwise be priced out.
The Competitive Edge: A Jab at DeepSeek?
Let’s be real; companies rarely make moves in a vacuum. Microsoft’s decision to offer o1 capabilities for free wasn’t just a goodwill gesture—it’s a savvy business move amid rapidly intensifying competition.DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has been turning heads lately with its R1 reasoning model. In fact, R1 has become so popular it recently unseated ChatGPT as the top AI app on Apple’s App Store. Proving highly versatile, DeepSeek is luring users away from Microsoft's ecosystem, posing a serious potential threat to its dominance. Microsoft’s Suleyman subtly acknowledged this during his remarks, emphasizing the importance of “powerful AI tools without subscription constraints.” Translation: Keep people in the Copilot fold by leveling the playing field.
By offering better tools for free, Microsoft is setting a new standard in the tech arms race. Not only is it countering competitors like DeepSeek with a more feature-rich experience, but it’s also incentivizing new users to explore Copilot as their go-to personal assistant.
How to Use "Think Deeper"
Getting started with the new feature couldn’t be simpler:- Log into Copilot on either web or mobile using your Microsoft account.
- Input your query—whether it’s about planning a home renovation, debugging a Python script, or decoding quantum physics.
- Select the 'Think Deeper' option.
- Wait a few seconds as Copilot employs the o1 reasoning model to dissect your question and produce a rich, detailed response.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for AI Development?
Microsoft’s move paints a vivid picture of where AI services are heading: towards greater usability, accessibility, and functionality. It’s not just about providing tools but ensuring these tools meet users' increasingly sophisticated needs.By removing paywalls for advanced reasoning, Microsoft is inviting millions to actively engage with and explore what AI can truly do. This feels revolutionary, especially when considering the potential impact across various industries:
- Education: Students gain access to a "digital tutor" that offers personalized explanations for topics they struggle with.
- Healthcare: AI assistants may one day incorporate more advanced reasoning models to aid doctors and researchers in solving complex medical cases.
- Engineering/Software Development: Coders now have access to smarter debugging solutions without shelling out for expensive tools.
What’s the Catch?
There’s always a caveat, right? Some skeptics might argue that by making advanced tools free, Microsoft risks opening itself up to operational bottlenecks (think: longer response times due to server load). Others may see this as a strategy to hook users into the Microsoft ecosystem, paving the way for potential monetization down the line.Nonetheless, the user gains seem to outweigh the drawbacks for now, especially given the clear advantages advanced reasoning offers. Still, it remains to be seen how rivals like OpenAI, Google, and DeepSeek will answer back in this fiery game of one-upmanship.
The Big Picture
If you’ve ever felt like AI was out to steal your job, Microsoft’s latest move signals something radically different: AI is here to double as teacher, mentor, and partner, enabling us to think deeper, achieve more, and solve problems with pinpoint precision.The introduction of the OpenAI o1 model-level reasoning to Copilot is more than just a feature update—it’s a step towards making AI as pervasive as the PC revolution itself. With "Think Deeper," Microsoft is setting the tone for an AI future built on capability, accessibility, and most importantly, human empowerment.
So, are you ready to dive in? Let us know in the comments how you plan to use Think Deeper to level up your day-to-day problem solving—or tackle your next moonshot of a project!
Key Takeaways
- OpenAI’s advanced o1 reasoning model is now free for all Microsoft Copilot users, unlocked alongside the Think Deeper feature.
- It enhances problem-solving across various fields—career, academics, coding, and beyond.
- Microsoft’s move addresses competition (like DeepSeek’s rapid rise) while also increasing AI accessibility.
- The democratization of AI tools fosters innovation, empowering users to solve both everyday problems and high-level challenges effectively.
Source: Evrim Ağacı https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/microsoft-makes-openais-o1-model-free-for-copilot-users-172827
