Microsoft will integrate its AI-powered Office features into Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Microsoft has decided not to implement a monthly additional charge of $20 for subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Home who were seeking access to AI-powered Office features. The company discreetly announced that Copilot Pro features will be available as part of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, although for now, only in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In a statement, the company mentioned that nine months have passed since the introduction of Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications, and they have been working on new functionalities, improving performance, and carefully listening to user feedback. Based on this feedback, it has been decided to integrate Copilot into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions.

Additionally, the Microsoft Designer application will also be included in these subscriptions in selected markets. Subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family will receive a monthly amount of AI credits to use Copilot in applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Designer. These credits will also apply to applications like Paint, Photos, and Notepad on Windows. However, it is important to note that in family subscriptions, only the owner will have access to Copilot and it will not be possible to share it with other family members.

Nevertheless, while some subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family will receive more benefits for their monthly fee, prices are also increasing in line with the inclusion of Copilot Pro. Microsoft has stated that this increase aims to reflect the added value over the past decade and will allow for the delivery of new innovations in the future. Price increases will be implemented at the next renewal for existing subscribers and will vary by country. For example, in Australia, family subscriptions have increased by $4 AUD per month and personal subscriptions by $5 AUD, a significantly lower amount than the initial $33 AUD requested for access to Copilot Pro.

This selection of markets seems to indicate a trial prior to future price increases for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family that could extend to the United States and Europe. This suggests that Microsoft's trial with Copilot Pro has not been entirely successful; the $20 monthly fee on the Microsoft 365 Personal or Home subscription has always been considered excessive by some users.

The company has been asked for a comment on whether these changes regarding Copilot will also be implemented for Microsoft 365 Home and Family subscribers in the United States, as well as the reasons behind the choice of these markets. So far, there has been no response from Microsoft.