Microsoft released a chat service on Wednesday that allows businesses to use on-demand AI agents for routine tasks.
The pay-as-you-go model aims to increase the adoption of the technology and drive more advertisers to its platform.
While the base technology, Copilot Chat, is free using OpenAI's GPT-4, add-ons like the ability to summarize and transcribe Teams calls and create PowerPoint slides require a $30 monthly
Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription.
Microsoft -- which is known for its subscription-based services to drive revenue -- employed more than 100,000 software engineers working on projects of all sizes in 2021, which does not account for those who support other organizations working as freelancers or employees.
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The company has built an entire software development business on that ideology of subscriptions.
Major technology companies are being pressured to show higher returns on investments, especially from AI infrastructures. Microsoft estimates it will spend about $80 billion this year on AI infrastructure. Most of the investment will go into building data centers to support a growing business to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications worldwide.
The United States will get more than half of Microsoft's total investment, reflecting a commitment and confidence in the American economy.
Google also announced that all AI features in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Meet have become available to Workspace customers at no extra charge, although the plan will see a $2-per-month increase per user.
The company said Workplace AI tools such as email summaries, automated note-taking, and chatting with Gemini simplifies access to the services.
The revamped pricing takes effect for new customers immediately. Existing customers will see changes starting March 17,
2025.
Creative assistants have become "creative assistants." Google's tools can help a company brainstorm for new products or ways to launch them. AI says Google can help to bring out the
best ideas that marketers may not have previously discovered.
The tools also can help advertising agencies write proposals for budgets and media buys.
From product launches to media buys, the advertising industry will become a very different world in 2025.