Microsoft Integrates GPT-5 Across Its AI Platforms: A Major Leap in AI Capabilities

Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its Copilot suite - here's what we know

OpenAI released its much-anticipated upgrade to the engine that powers ChatGPT and many other AI implementations, including Microsoft's AI offerings, Thursday. Concurrent with the GPT-5 release, Microsoft announced that it is upgrading its consumer, developer, and enterprise users with the GPT-5 models. Also: GPT-5 is finally here, and you can access it for free today - no subscription needed The company called specific attention to the testing results of its AI Red Team, which is OpenAI's security and harm-reduction operation. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Based on the team's tests using its security protocols, "The results show that the reasoning model exhibited one of the strongest AI safety profiles among prior OpenAI models against several modes of attack, including malware generation, fraud/scam automation and other harms." Also: ChatGPT can now talk nerdy to you - plus more personalities and other upgrades Microsoft said the upgrades will be available starting today, although at the moment of writing, they're still not available in my tool stack. They may be by the time you read this. Microsoft uses the "Copilot" branding in a lot of its AI offerings, but when it's used in a standalone format (i.e., just "Microsoft Copilot"), then the company is talking about its chatbot. Also: Gen AI disillusionment looms, according to Gartner's 2025 Hype Cycle report The chatbot now offers a new Smart mode, which the company said will "help anyone discover the best possible solutions to their queries." GPT-5 is available in Copilot for all users, including those without a subscription. Microsoft said Copilot with GPT-5 is "better at reasoning through complex questions, staying on track in longer conversations and understanding the user's context." Microsoft 365 Copilot users will be able to use the GPT-5 engine to "reason over emails, documents and files." Specifically calling out enterprise users, Microsoft said the new LLM will allow customers to work through more complicated problems. Microsoft's Copilot Studio is Microsoft's answer to ChatGPT Agent, but with the ability to build custom agents. Now, Microsoft says that users can "select GPT-5 in custom prompts to enable agents to take on more complex business processes." The last time I put GitHub Copilot to the test, it was using a GPT-4-based learning model. And it failed about half of my tests. Microsoft is rolling out a preview of GPT-5 to all those using paid GitHub Copilot plans. Also: ChatGPT can no longer tell you to break up with your boyfriend I really like GitHub Copilot because it beautifully integrates into VS Code, the ultra-popular coding environment used by millions of developers. But because the AI failed my tests, I've been cautious about relying on it. With GPT-5 integration, that may change. Stay tuned. I'll be re-running my tests with GPT-5 and we'll see if Microsoft can join OpenAI and Google in the winners' circle of test results. Finally, Microsoft is making all GPT-5 models available to developers. GPT-5 isn't just one model. Rather, it's the brand that encompasses: In Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft's cloud-based AI development platform, the company is offering a "model router" that evaluates each prompt and decides which model is best suited to the problem being considered. ZDNET's team will be working with GPT-5 and putting it to the test. Stay tuned for lots of great coverage on this big announcement. What do you think of Microsoft's rollout of GPT-5 across its AI platforms? Have you tried Smart mode in Microsoft Copilot yet, or explored how the GPT-5 engine handles reasoning in Microsoft 365 Copilot? If you're a developer, are you using Azure AI Foundry or planning to experiment with its model router? And if you've used GitHub Copilot before, do you think GPT-5 will finally get it across the finish line? Let us know in the comments below. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its Copilot suite - here's where you'll find it

OpenAI released its much-anticipated upgrade to the engine that powers ChatGPT and many other AI implementations, including Microsoft's AI offerings, on Thursday. Concurrent with the GPT-5 release, Microsoft announced that it is upgrading its consumer, developer, and enterprise users with the GPT-5 models. Also: GPT-5 is finally here, and you can access it for free - no subscription needed The company called specific attention to the testing results of its AI Red Team, which is OpenAI's security and harm-reduction operation. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) Based on the team's tests using its security protocols, "The results show that the reasoning model exhibited one of the strongest AI safety profiles among prior OpenAI models against several modes of attack, including malware generation, fraud/scam automation and other harms." Also: ChatGPT can now talk nerdy to you - plus more personalities and other upgrades Microsoft said the upgrades will be available immediately, although at the moment of writing, they're still not available in my tool stack. They may be by the time you read this. Microsoft uses the "Copilot" branding in a lot of its AI offerings, but when it's used in a standalone format (i.e., just "Microsoft Copilot"), then the company is talking about its chatbot. Also: Gen AI disillusionment looms, according to Gartner's 2025 Hype Cycle report The chatbot now offers a new Smart mode, which the company said will "help anyone discover the best possible solutions to their queries." GPT-5 is available in Copilot for all users, including those without a subscription. Microsoft said Copilot with GPT-5 is "better at reasoning through complex questions, staying on track in longer conversations and understanding the user's context." Microsoft 365 Copilot users will be able to use the GPT-5 engine to "reason over emails, documents and files." Specifically calling out enterprise users, Microsoft said the new LLM will allow customers to work through more complicated problems. Microsoft's Copilot Studio is Microsoft's answer to ChatGPT Agent, but with the ability to build custom agents. Now, Microsoft says that users can "select GPT-5 in custom prompts to enable agents to take on more complex business processes." The last time I put GitHub Copilot to the test, it was using a GPT-4-based learning model. And it failed about half of my tests. Microsoft is rolling out a preview of GPT-5 to all those using paid GitHub Copilot plans. Also: ChatGPT can no longer tell you to break up with your boyfriend I really like GitHub Copilot because it beautifully integrates into VS Code, the ultra-popular coding environment used by millions of developers. But because the AI failed my tests, I've been cautious about relying on it. With GPT-5 integration, that may change. Stay tuned. I'll be re-running my tests with GPT-5 and we'll see if Microsoft can join OpenAI and Google in the winners' circle of test results. Finally, Microsoft is making all GPT-5 models available to developers. GPT-5 isn't just one model. Rather, it's the brand that encompasses: In Azure AI Foundry, Microsoft's cloud-based AI development platform, the company is offering a "model router" that evaluates each prompt and decides which model is best suited to the problem being considered. ZDNET's team will be working with GPT-5 and putting it to the test. Stay tuned for lots of great coverage on this big announcement. What do you think of Microsoft's rollout of GPT-5 across its AI platforms? Have you tried Smart mode in Microsoft Copilot yet, or explored how the GPT-5 engine handles reasoning in Microsoft 365 Copilot? If you're a developer, are you using Azure AI Foundry or planning to experiment with its model router? And if you've used GitHub Copilot before, do you think GPT-5 will finally get it across the finish line? Let us know in the comments below. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Microsoft brings GPT-5 to Copilot with new smart mode

OpenAI officially launched its new GPT-5 models today, and Microsoft is now bringing GPT-5 to Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, GitHub Copilot, and more. It's part of a big simultaneous release of GPT-5 that will show up in Copilot as the new smart mode that I detailed in Notepad last month. The new smart mode in Copilot allows the AI assistant to switch models for you to use deeper reasoning or quickly respond based on the task. Much like how OpenAI is making GPT-5 available to free users of ChatGPT, Copilot will also have free access to GPT-5. Microsoft 365 Copilot users will also get access to GPT-5 today. "With GPT-5, Microsoft 365 Copilot is better at reasoning through complex questions, staying on track in longer conversations and understanding the user's context," explains Microsoft in a blog post. GitHub is also bringing GPT-5 to all paid GitHub Copilot plans today, allowing developers to try out the code writing improvements to OpenAI's latest model. OpenAI's new GPT-5 model comes in four different versions, and has big improvements in reasoning and code quality. GPT-5 is designed for logic and multi-step tasks, while GPT-5-chat is tuned for enterprise applications with multimodal context-aware conversations. Finally, Microsoft is also making GPT-5 available through Azure AI Foundry, so developers can utilize it in AI-powered apps. Developers will be able to use the model router in Azure AI Foundry "to ensure the right model is used" for the task or query.

How to use GPT-5 in VS Code with GitHub Copilot

GPT-5 is now available for use with Microsoft's GitHub Copilot in VS Code. In this article, I'll walk you through the steps of setting up the linkages between VS Code, Copilot, and GPT-5. This process will also work for most other supported large language models you want to use. Also: Microsoft rolls out GPT-5 across its Copilot suite - here's where you'll find it You'll need the Pro version of GitHub Copilot to use GPT-5 at this time. The new model might be available for Copilot's free tier someday, but not yet. There is, however, a 30-day free trial. I'll show you how to set that up here: First, open VS Code. Click the little Copilot icon (1). That action will open the Copilot pane. Next, click whatever model is listed at (2). Mine is GPT-4.1. Finally, click Add Premium Models (3). Also: I tested GPT-5's coding skills, and it was so bad that I'm sticking with GPT-4o (for now) This will take you to a web page where you'll be given the opportunity to try Copilot Pro for 30 days at no cost. Click the big green button. Unfortunately, you'll have to add your credit card info, although it won't be charged for 30 days. To prevent abuse of the 30-day limit, Microsoft requires you to give your personal information and your credit card number: Once you've done that, click the Activate Now button: You'll need to restart VS Code for the Pro mode to be made available. Once you do that, click the current model (in the screenshot, it's GPT-4.1), and then scroll and choose GPT-5: You will then need to issue a prompt. In my Deep Research dump of my repository, I was told about some references to a product I sold a few years ago that were still in the product's code. I told GPT-5 to remove all such references. That process resulted in the Enable button showing up. Basically, I think you can use any prompt with GPT-5 to trigger the Enable button. Then click it: By using the Pro account, you are given a certain number of times you can use the various models. It's unclear how that usage limit is calculated, so I have reached out to Microsoft for clarification. I'll update this article when I get more info. Also: How I test an AI chatbot's coding ability - and you can, too If you want to bypass the possible restrictions and rate limitations, you can use your own API key as provided by your LLM service. You can learn more from Microsoft's language models page. With ChatGPT, you can get an OpenAI Platform Key by pointing your browser here. If you don't already have an OpenAI account, you may need to give them some credit card information as well. Then click Create Key and follow the directions: Once you have your key, go back to Manage Models (by clicking the current model you're using and choosing Manage Models). Select OpenAI: Type or paste in your key. Press Enter to confirm: Congratulations, you're now running GPT-5 in Copilot. Have you tried using GPT-4.1 or GPT-5 in VS Code yet? What do you think of the Copilot Pro experience so far? Does it feel like a worthwhile upgrade? Have you explored using your API key instead of relying on Microsoft's allocation? Also: The best AI for coding in 2025 (and what not to use) What kinds of tasks or prompts have you found AI particularly helpful for in your coding work? Let us know in the comments below.

Microsoft Copilot is now powered by GPT-5 too, mostly

Expect to see GPT-5 in Microsoft's other developer products, too. Microsoft has added GPT-5 to Copilot, a day after adding OpenAI's open-source GPT model to its local services. GPT-5, which also powers ChatGPT, is now live within Copilot, at copilot.microsoft.com, Microsoft said Thursday. Presumably the same model will eventually power the Copilot application running on top of Windows PCs, but the Windows app appears to use just the older GPT-4 model for now, at least on my PC. OpenAI launched GPT-5 on Thursday, promising leaps in general intelligence as well as specialized improvements in creative writing, coding, and health purposes. In coding, OpenAI claimed that it could create a website in just a single prompt. GPT-5 includes what OpenAI called a router, assigning queries to specific tasks based upon the complexity of the assignment. On Microsoft's Copilot site, you'll need to manually enable it via the drop-down menu. Based upon the description -- "Thinks deeply or quickly based upon the task" -- it too seems to have the router functionality active. A dumb but otherwise telling prompt, "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood" quickly produced an answer: 700 pounds of wood. But when asked to "show your work," Copilot delivered a lengthier explanation. It still wasn't as detailed as the GPT-5 explanation available on ChatGPT, though the two AI engines arrived at the same answer. Expect to see GPT-5 within Microsoft 365 Copilot as well as GitHub Copilot, Visual Studio Code, and Azure Foundry, Microsoft said. Microsoft said GPT-5 on Azure AI Foundry will be available today, but its presence on GitHub Copilot was couched in future terms. On Wednesday, Microsoft said that it was bringing gpt-oss-120B and gpt-oss-20B to Azure AI Foundry, and GPU-optimized versions of the gpt-oss-20B model to Windows devices through Foundry Local. These open-source GPT-4 models require a discrete GPU with more than 16GB of VRAM. I ran the gpt-oss model on the Framework Desktop, with its Ryzen AI Max+ 395 CPU and integrated GPU, which can be configured to assign 96GB of its available memory as VRAM for a significant performance boost. It actually produced better answers than a substantially more complex Meta Llama Scout 109B model that ran on the same hardware. Meanwhile, Microsoft said it believes the GPT-5 model is safer than its predecessors. "The results show that the reasoning model exhibited one of the strongest AI safety profiles among prior OpenAI models against several modes of attack, including malware generation, fraud/scam automation and other harms," it said.

OpenAI launches GPT-5 in GitHub Copilot public preview -- the biggest leap yet in AI coding assistants?

OpenAI GPT-5 is now available in public preview for GitHub Copilot, bringing a major upgrade to how developers code with AI. With smarter suggestions, faster responses, and deeper understanding, GPT-5 makes coding easier for professionals and beginners alike. This update is part of Microsoft's broader rollout across Copilot tools in GitHub, Microsoft 365, and Azure. Whether you're building apps, debugging, or exploring new languages, GPT-5 now acts like a real coding partner -- right inside your tools.

ChatGPT 5 in Microsoft Copilot : The AI Upgrade You've Been Waiting For

What if your next email draft didn't just sound polished but perfectly matched the tone your audience expects? Imagine presenting a budget plan where every chart, summary, and data point feels not only clear but compelling. With the integration of GPT-5 into Microsoft Copilot, this vision is no longer a distant possibility -- it's here. Building on GPT-4's foundation, GPT-5 introduces a leap in reasoning, data analysis, and communication precision, setting a new benchmark for AI-powered professional tools. From crafting nuanced financial reports to generating audience-tailored communication strategies, GPT-5 is reshaping how professionals approach their most complex tasks. This overview by PBA provides more insights into the fantastic capabilities of ChatGPT-5 and its seamless integration into Microsoft Copilot. You'll uncover how its advanced analytical depth, high-quality visualizations, and structured outputs are redefining productivity in professional environments. But it's not just about the features -- it's about the broader implications for how we work and communicate in an increasingly data-driven world. As we explore its strengths and even its limitations, one question emerges: could GPT-5 be the key to unlocking a new era of professional efficiency? GPT-5 brings a more advanced approach to reasoning and analytical tasks, allowing it to address complex professional challenges with improved accuracy. Unlike GPT-4, which often delivered generalized responses, GPT-5 adapts its outputs to meet specific user requirements. For example, when analyzing intricate datasets, GPT-5 identifies patterns, segments data effectively, and provides nuanced interpretations that were previously unattainable. This enhanced reasoning extends to professional communication. GPT-5 evaluates the tone, structure, and style of written content, offering actionable suggestions to improve clarity and professionalism. Beyond identifying areas for improvement, it provides practical tools such as email templates or strategies for refining messaging. These features make GPT-5 an indispensable resource for professionals seeking to elevate their communication standards and achieve more impactful results. The practical applications of GPT-5 demonstrate its superiority over its predecessor, GPT-4. Here are three scenarios where its capabilities stand out: Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on ChatGPT-5 that you might find useful. One of GPT-5's standout features is its ability to produce high-quality visualizations and structured outputs. Whether creating summary tables, charts, or presentation slides, the model ensures that the results are both visually appealing and professionally formatted. This capability is particularly valuable for tasks involving large datasets, where GPT-5's segmentation and visualization tools provide clarity and actionable insights. Additionally, GPT-5's outputs are more aligned with user objectives. For instance, when preparing a budget presentation, the model not only generates visuals but also crafts a cohesive narrative that connects the data points. This integrated approach simplifies the process of communicating complex information effectively, allowing professionals to present their findings with confidence and precision. Despite its advancements, GPT-5 is not without limitations. Some users have reported minor issues with file generation, likely due to the model's recent release. These occasional bugs may require further refinement to ensure seamless performance across all tasks. Additionally, the model's complexity can lead to longer processing times, particularly when generating highly detailed outputs. However, these challenges are outweighed by the significant benefits GPT-5 offers. Its ability to deliver actionable, professional-grade results makes it a valuable tool for tasks requiring deep analysis and structured deliverables. As the technology continues to evolve, these minor limitations are likely to be addressed, further enhancing its utility and reliability. The integration of GPT-5 into Microsoft Copilot sets a new standard for AI-powered professional tools. With its enhanced reasoning, advanced data analysis, and superior visualization capabilities, GPT-5 enables professionals to tackle complex challenges with greater efficiency and precision. Whether summarizing financial statements, preparing data-driven presentations, or refining communication strategies, GPT-5 provides the intelligence and tools needed to excel in today's demanding professional landscape. By improving productivity and elevating the quality of work, GPT-5 not only meets the needs of modern professionals but also redefines the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. As organizations continue to embrace AI-driven solutions, GPT-5 stands out as a fantastic tool that bridges the gap between data complexity and actionable insights, paving the way for a more efficient and informed future.

You Can Use GPT-5 for Free in Microsoft Copilot

Users can try it out in Copilot's Smart mode, while GitHub developers need a paid plan to access the latest AI model. OpenAI has just released its most powerful GPT-5 model, and it's rolling out for free in ChatGPT. Meanwhile, Microsoft is also bringing OpenAI's GPT-5 model for free to Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI. In fact, GPT-5 is already live in the Copilot app on my Windows 11 PC, accessible via the 'Smart' mode. Microsoft announced in its latest blog post that the company is integrating OpenAI's latest GPT-5 model into its Copilot AI. You will find it within the Smart mode option, which uses the GPT-5 model to respond quickly or think deeply, depending on the complexity of the query. It will be free to use, similar to how OpenAI is not gatekeeping GPT-5 behind a premium subscription this time. Microsoft mentioned in its post, "With GPT-5, Microsoft 365 Copilot is better at reasoning through complex questions, staying on track in longer conversations, and understanding the user's context." That being said, GitHub developers will need the GitHub Copilot plan if they want to use the latest GPT-5 model. Azure AI Foundry users can also employ GPT-5 from the model router starting today to build their AI apps. OpenAI's GPT-5 will be a big help for developers, since it features major advancements in code quality and reasoning. It's also multimodal and can generate context-aware conversations, with improved performance in multi-step tasks. So if you use Copilot, then try out GPT-5 today!

Microsoft 365 Copilot now runs on OpenAI's GPT 5: Here's why it matters

With GPT 5, Copilot can now take a request, understand it, and use a real-time router to choose the best AI model for the job. Microsoft has started rolling out OpenAI's newest and most advanced AI system, GPT 5, to Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot Studio users globally. The tech giant says GPT 5 is a major leap in intelligence and becomes even more effective when applied to workplace tasks. The update is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to bring OpenAI's latest models to 365 Copilot users within 30 days of their release. Here's everything you need to know. With GPT 5, Copilot can now take a request, understand it, and use a real-time router to choose the best AI model for the job. For straightforward queries, it uses a fast, high-throughput model that provides concise responses. For more complex or open-ended questions, Copilot will use GPT 5's deeper reasoning model that takes extra time to plan, gather relevant context, and check its work before replying. Also read: GPT 5 vs GPT 4: From customisation to personalisation, here's everything new Microsoft says this "right model for the right job" approach works much like human problem-solving, handling simple tasks quickly while investing more thought and time into challenging ones. "With GPT-5, Copilot can provide both fast, fluent responses and deep, reasoned analyses. This two-brain approach is what makes the GPT 5 era of Copilot particularly powerful," Microsoft said. Also read: OpenAI launches GPT-5, its most advanced model yet: What's new, what it can do, and who gets access Licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot users can use GPT 5 for reasoning over both web and work data. A new "Try GPT-5" button will appear in Copilot Chat. Once activated, GPT-5 will power that session. Meanwhile, the rollout for users without a Copilot license will happen in the coming weeks.