Microsoft Copilot: Navigating Changes to Custom GPT Features

When running a business, you can use all the help you can get. That’s why many companies like yours have relied on Microsoft Copilot to help them with anything from creating and altering documents to sifting through an overloaded inbox. These AI tools and technology have proved invaluable in business, but that will no longer be an option for the Microsoft Copilot Pro-consumer market.

The July 10th Copilot release was meant to extend these AI capabilities for your business. Will Microsoft’s recall mean your company has to reconsider?

What Is Microsoft Copilot Pro?

In November 2023, Microsoft released a Copilot Pro feature that allowed individuals to work more efficiently. AI capabilities helped users draft, write, and edit, which promised to increase productivity for businesses and entrepreneurs alike. This version of Copilot helped with data visualization, image generation, and more. It was available across all versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

Suppose your business has been trying out these awesome generative tools. In that case, you might be shocked to learn that individual Microsoft Copilot Pro subscribers have lost a crucial feature – priority access to GPT-4 and GPT-4 turbo.

These fourth-generation GPT foundation models leverage neural networks resembling the human brain. The tool works like ChatGPT, which uses GPT models to create AI chatbots. After July 10th, non-business users can no longer create new GPTs with Copilot.

The Reason for the Copilot GPT Recall

Why are we seeing this surprising recall of a beloved Microsoft feature? Since there was also a quick note from the company saying it wanted to hone in on commercial and enterprise usage rather than a consumer Copilot, it seems it’s about money.

Perhaps non-business owners had not purchased this helpful feature as much as Microsoft had hoped. With a free ChatGPT available to the public, why would they?

What Does This Mean for Copilot Consumers?

Did you have custom instructions and other creations in the app? The deadline to move these to ChatGPT or one of the other web apps was the 14th, after which Microsoft plans to delete pre-existing GPTs. The $20 monthly fee might also change.

Cutting Microsoft Copilot Pro from general consumers may be the company cutting its losses. Still, they didn’t leave all subscribers high and dry. The company’s recent email assured users that it regularly tracked features and products to make regular updates and customizations shortly. Using Copilot with a Microsoft 365 subscription may also continue to grant users access to top-tier models at peak times, faster image editing with AIs, and other features.

What Does This GPT Drop Mean for Your Business?

Company owners like you may not have to worry about losing existing GPTs if Microsoft continues to support Copilot Pro GPT features for businesses. Pay the regular monthly fee, maintain access to all the recent releases, and you don’t have to transfer your GPTs to adhere to upcoming deadlines.

Microsoft Copilot Pro is still receiving mixed reviews and no consumer support. For now, business owners with a monthly subscription don’t need to change anything.