Microsoft has integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into Microsoft 365 subscriptions in Australia and Southeast Asia, simultaneously raising the subscription price. This move has sparked dissatisfaction among users who are unwilling to pay extra for Copilot. In Australia, the price increased from 11 AUD to 16 AUD per month.
Some users have expressed frustration on social media, comparing Copilot's pop-up reminders to the infamous Office Assistant Clippy from the late 1990s. Others have opted to cancel their subscriptions, seeking alternative services due to the inability to remove the AI feature and the price hike.
Analysts note that Microsoft's strategy highlights its commitment to monetizing its AI investments, with Copilot being a key part of its consumer and enterprise software expansion plans. Despite facing competition from ChatGPT and Salesforce, Microsoft reports that nearly 70% of Fortune 500 companies use Copilot, with AI-related revenue soon expected to exceed $10 billion annually.