Microsoft 365 subscribers can now access enhanced AI features, including a Copilot button for assistance in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. A monthly price increase accompanies these updates, with Family plans rising by 30% and Personal plans by nearly 43%. Subscribers receive 60 AI credits each month for use with Copilot and Microsoft Designer. While initial reactions have been critical, Microsoft is refining the experience based on feedback, allowing users to toggle Copilot features as needed.
Unlocking AI Power with Microsoft 365 Subscriptions
For users subscribed to Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plans, a wave of artificial intelligence enhancements is now available across your favorite Office applications. With the introduction of a Copilot button in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, users can easily access a sidebar that assists with document creation, spreadsheet analysis, email summarization, and presentation design.
Furthermore, subscribers will gain access to the innovative Microsoft Designer app, which leverages AI to generate images based on user prompts and remove unwanted elements from photos, enhancing your creative capabilities.
Price Adjustments and AI Credits
These exciting updates come alongside a notable price increase for subscriptions. Subscribers will receive a monthly allocation of 60 AI credits to utilize with Copilot and Microsoft Designer across various applications. These credits will reset on the first of each month, regardless of your renewal date.
Specifically, Microsoft 365 Family plans will see a 30% price increase, changing from €10 to €13 per month, while annual subscriptions will rise from €99 to €129. Personal plan subscribers will face an almost 43% increase, going from €7 to €10 per month, with the yearly cost elevating from €69 to €99.
These adjustments mark the first price hikes for subscription services previously known as Office 365, which have been available since 2013. The new pricing structure will take effect during the next renewal cycle.
After months of testing in Asia, Microsoft is now globally rolling out the Copilot features and has committed to refining the experience based on user feedback. The company acknowledges that AI assistance may not always be desired, especially in academic contexts, and has introduced settings in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that allow users to toggle Copilot on or off as needed.
For those looking to disable connected experiences, a support article outlines the steps to manage settings under File > Account > Account Privacy. Users can also hide the Copilot button from the ribbon, though a straightforward option to toggle Copilot on or off does not appear to be available.
Subscribers are also given the option to switch to classic versions of Personal or Family plans to maintain current pricing. However, new customers won’t have the option to select a classic subscription, and Microsoft has indicated that these downgraded plans may be available only for a limited time.
It’s important to note that the new features in Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions are exclusive to the primary account holder and cannot be shared with other users. Additional users will need their own subscriptions or can opt for a Copilot Pro subscription at $20 per month.
Subscriber Reactions and Future Considerations
Initial responses from subscribers have been largely critical, with many expressing their intent to cancel Microsoft 365 subscriptions rather than accept the increased rates. It’s likely that Microsoft has analyzed potential subscriber attrition closely, perhaps even consulting Copilot for insights.
In light of the changes, it’s wise to remember Copilot’s advice: “Although I strive to be reliable, I am not perfect and I can sometimes make mistakes.” Always verify crucial information, especially when making decisions that could significantly impact your experience or finances.