Microsoft Copilot Offers Free Unlimited Access to Voice and Think Deeper Features

I think Microsoft is smart to follow OpenAI in making these premium features free

Microsoft Copilot is taking a page from OpenAI's strategy for ChatGPT and making its Voice and Think Deeper features available to all users. This is not surprising since OpenAI's models power the Copilot features. However, making them accessible to Copilot users who aren't paying for a subscription to the premium service could make them much more widely used. Voice mode is exactly what it sounds like: instead of typing your queries, you can now have an actual conversation with Copilot. The AI can help you practice phrases in French, help you cook something complicated without smudging your phone screen with olive oil, or respond sympathetically to a rant about traffic. Think Deeper is built to handle more complex questions than just the weather or trivia. Suppose you're debating whether to spend a recent windfall on a bathroom remodel or a generator to help with the next windstorm. Ask Copilot to use Think Deeper and it can break down the costs, long-term value, and trade-offs. The AI could also create a scoring system to help you decide what kind of car to get based on your preferences in design, comfort, future-proofing, and other factors. This update is Microsoft's way of making AI more accessible and, frankly, more helpful. Before now, many users might have been frustrated by the limits on these features, but were still reluctant to pay for Copilot Pro. The end result might just be them switching to another AI chatbot. Microsoft does warn, however, that during high-demand periods, things might slow down a bit. For those who are already paying for Copilot Pro, nothing is being taken away either. Pro users still get first dibs on new AI features, plus priority access during peak hours, which is useful if you need Copilot's brainpower in the middle of a busy day. They also still have exclusive extra AI integrations within Microsoft 365 apps. So, if your idea of excitement is having Copilot help you build the most efficient Excel spreadsheet of all time, Pro is still the way to go. Ultimately, Microsoft wants Copilot to be something you and everyone you know would actually want to interact with. The more natural the conversation, the more useful AI becomes. By bringing these features to everyone for free, Microsoft, as well as its partner OpenAI, is also putting pressure on its competitors. Many AI tools have been locked behind paywalls, with companies reserving the best features for those willing to subscribe. But Microsoft flipping the switch on unlimited access means other AI providers might have to follow suit. The race is no longer just about who has the smartest AI, but who is making it the most available and practical.

You Can Now Use Copilot's Voice, Think Deeper Features With No Limits

Microsoft said Copilot Pro users will retain preferred access Microsoft rolled out unlimited usage of two new Copilot features to the free tier on Tuesday. The two features -- dubbed Voice and Think Deeper -- were released to all Copilot users recently. However, those on the free tier could access them with a rate limit. Now, the Redmond-based tech giant is removing the rate limit and offering unlimited usage of both tools to all users. Notably, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot's Think Deeper feature is powered by OpenAI's reasoning-focused o1 model. In a blog post, the tech giant announced the removal of the usage limit. Microsoft first launched Copilot two years ago and has been improving the AI-powered chatbot with more features. The company has also integrated it into the Windows operating system and Microsoft 365 apps. It has also been added to GitHub. So far, only Copilot Pro users had unlimited access to the Voice and Think Deeper feature. With the new move, all users can now use these tools without worrying about any rate limit. Notably, the Voice mode is currently only available in the Copilot mobile apps. Think Deeper can also be accessed on the web client. The Copilot Voice mode is similar to the Advanced Voice Mode offered by OpenAI. However, the latter continues to apply a rate limit to the free tier, which is roughly a few minutes every month. On Wednesday, OpenAI announced in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the free tier's Advanced Voice Mode will now be powered by GPT-4o mini instead of GPT-4o. The company said it will give "free users a chance to preview it daily across platforms." However, while OpenAI did not mention the new rate limits, it is unlikely to be unlimited. Copilot's Voice mode can interact with users conversationally and its speech contains human-like mannerisms. It can also change the tone, sing a song, and can change the pitch, tone, and inflections. The company said it can be used to practice a new language, give mock interviews, or get hands-free cooking advice. The Think Deeper mode essentially uses the test-time compute method and reasoning model and takes more time on a query to question the response, look for alternative solutions, and verify the output. Microsoft stated that this feature uses OpenAI's o1 reasoning model. It is useful when users want to understand a complex topic or want a deeper analysis of a technical report.

All Copilot users now get free unlimited access to its two best features - how to use them

In the fall, Microsoft unveiled its latest Copilot AI features, including Copilot Voice, a voice assistant that can be interrupted to have multi-turn conversations with you, and Think Deeper, which leverages OpenAI's o1 reasoning model to deliver higher-quality responses to complex prompts. Since last month, both features have been available to users for free. Now, Microsoft has made the offerings even more robust. Also: Why Anthropic's latest Claude model could be the new AI to beat - and how to try it On Tuesday, Microsoft announced that all Copilot users will have unlimited access to the Think Deeper and Voice features at no additional cost. This is a major advantage over ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20 per month, and grants access to ChatGPT Advanced Voice and o1, the OpenAI equivalent to these two features. The o1 model underlying the Think Deeper feature was trained to "think before it speaks," and as a result, it takes a bit longer to process your query -- around 30 seconds, according to Microsoft. This is especially useful for STEM-related tasks such as coding, analysis, and advanced math problems. Other use cases include in-depth advice and planning. OpenAI has kept its advanced reasoning model from free users, with the o1 model only available for paid subscribers, including ChatGPT Pro, Team, Edu, and Enterprise users. As a result, being able to access it for free in Copilot is a big opportunity for people who want to try it without shelling out the money. The only caveat is that it doesn't have access to the internet, but Suleyman said in a comment on the X post that Microsoft is "working on it." To access the feature, sign into Copilot using your Microsoft account. Once you do, next to the text box, you will see the "Think Deeper" button, which you can click to activate the model when answering your prompt. Copilot Voice is Microsoft's take on AI-powered voice assistants that mimic human conversations. Copilot Voice has four voices -- Wave, Meadow, Grove, and Canyon -- and is available across all the same platforms that you can access Copilot, including the app, standalone site, and Windows.

Microsoft's Copilot Now Offers Free, Unlimited Access To Voice And Think Deeper, Enhancing User Experience With Advanced Reasoning And Natural Conversations

Microsoft has been increasingly focused on integrating advanced AI capabilities into its tools so that the technology is more widely accessible. While Copilot was launched two years ago, the aim of the platform was to give users access to information, help them get answers to their prompts, and pave the way for their creative purposes. The tech giant has since then been working on evolving the tool further and now made a major announcement about bringing ahead even more powerful capabilities to all the Copilot users by offering unlimited, free access to Voice and Think Deeper, which OpenAI's o1 model powers. Copilot was launched in 2022, and while the world of AI chatbots saw some intense competition with advanced tools being available, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, it did not stop Microsoft from bringing forward its AI tools. With DeepSeek's growing popularity, companies are aggressively approaching artificial intelligence initiatives and rolling out updates to a wider audience. OpenAI has been arduously working on introducing more capabilities and has developed several tools aimed at making user's life easier and productivity better, such as Operator, Deep Research, and o-3 mini, and is still focused on bringing initiatives out more aggressively. Microsoft is now focused on making Copilot more widely accessible as it has announced free, unlimited access to Voice and Think Deeper with the intention of making it more insightful. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, has shared about this development on X, which reinforces the big leap the company is making in making the tool more accessible for everyone. The tech giant is expanding its reach and usability by offering free unlimited access to Voice and Think Deeper in Copilot. As Microsoft is not the only company looking into making artificial intelligence tools more accessible to the masses, we see an overall trend in the industry to democratize AI. Microsoft is also offering Copilot more advanced capabilities by integrating OpenAI's o1 model. This includes bringing more extended conversations and more complex problem-solving abilities. Additionally, users would have a collaborative AI partner as the tool would come with the option to make multiple iterations, refine the ideas further, and improve the responses. Microsoft, by bringing Copilot without any limitations, is stepping into a new era that emphasizes scaling AI and prioritizing more widespread availability.

Microsoft just made the best ChatGPT feature free

Microsoft has announced that users of its Copilot AI assistant will now have free unlimited access to the Voice feature and the Think Deeper function, powered by OpenAI's o1 model. This update, made on February 25, 2025, extends functionality to users who can now engage in conversations and tackle complex queries without limitations. The Voice feature was introduced in October 2024, allowing users to converse with the AI assistant. Think Deeper enhances this experience by parsing complicated queries, helping users evaluate the pros and cons of significant decisions, such as home purchases, based on cost and long-term value. Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft AI, previously stated that access to the o1 model would be available to all Copilot users at no cost as of early February. Users can access Copilot via the Copilot app on Windows or the website copilot.microsoft.com, requiring a Microsoft account for sign-in. The Think Deeper feature allows for in-depth research and analysis by providing thoughtful responses after a brief processing period. Microsoft initially faced some access limitations during the rollout of Think Deeper, but these restrictions have now been lifted, granting users full access to both Voice and Think Deeper features. The Think Deeper functionality excels at evergreen research, handling complex topics such as the analysis of historical events or aiding in software development tasks. For example, when asked to write a basic Windows application for drawing a maze based on a user's name, Think Deeper effectively generated detailed guidance and custom C# source files. Microsoft has not indicated plans to charge for Think Deeper, whether through direct payment or a subscription model. During times of high demand, users may still experience delays, while Copilot Pro subscribers will retain preferred access to the latest AI models, as well as early access to experimental features. The blog post from Microsoft highlighted the benefits of the Voice and Think Deeper tools, noting their potential for users to practice languages, conduct mock interviews, and receive advice for significant purchases or renovations. In addition to the free offerings, OpenAI has launched the o3 model, which introduces a "private chain of thought" for generating complex answers, improving performance on tasks such as software engineering challenges. However, there is no indication that access to o3 will be free.

Microsoft Copilot's Free Plan Just Got So Much Better

Microsoft's Copilot is quickly becoming one of the best options available if you're looking to tap AI prowess without paying a dime. Copilot Voice and Think Deeper Are Now Free With No Limits The company now offers unlimited access to Copilot Voice and Think Deeper for all users. Copilot Voice allows you to talk with the AI chatbot. You can use it for a number of situations, like preparing for a job interview or even practicing a conversation in a new language. Think Deeper is powered by OpenAI's o1, the company's most powerful model. You can use it to tackle more complex questions or tasks. Microsoft shared an example prompt to try Think Deeper's capabilities: Compare the best electric cars. I usually prioritize design and comfort, and I want to feel like my purchase is 'future-proof'. Make a novel scoring system to help me with my assessment. When using Think Deeper, be prepared to wait a few seconds for a response. Copilot Voice is available on the Copilot smartphone app for iPhone or Android and at copilot.microsoft.com. But you'll need to head to the Copilot site to access Think Deeper. To activate Think Deeper, choose the icon next to the microphone button. Microsoft previously gave free users access to both Copliot Voice and Think Deeper with some limitations. If you subscribe to the $20 monthly Copilot Pro option, you will still receive preferred access to the latest models during peak usage, early access to AI experimental features, and use of Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Copilot in Word can help you write from scratch and much more. A Spectacular Deal Copilot is now the place to go if you're looking to access some of the best AI available without any limits. Think Deeper uses the same advanced technology that's only available to ChatGPT subscribers on the $20/month Plus plan or the $200/month Pro option. While Pro subscribers enjoy unlimited access to o1, Plus users still face some limitations. Copilot Voice is also a great way to use AI and is much easier than typing. While I've previously stuck with ChatGPT, I'll definitely make sure to try out Think Deeper on Copilot without having to worry about any rate limitations.

Microsoft Copilot now offers unlimited free access to Voice and Think Deeper for all users

Microsoft on Tuesday announced the rollout of new AI-powered features for all Copilot users, offering free, unlimited access to Voice and Think Deeper, powered by OpenAI's o1 model. The Copilot Team said Voice now supports longer conversations, while Think Deeper addresses tougher questions. "You can have an extended conversation with Copilot using Voice and take advantage of Think Deeper's advanced reasoning models to tackle more complex questions or tasks anytime," the team explained. Users can use Voice to learn simple phrases in a new language, conduct mock interviews for job applications, or get hands-free cooking advice for new recipes. Think Deeper assists with complex tasks like making big purchases, assessing home renovation values, or planning career moves. Here are some example prompts: The Copilot Team noted that users have been hitting feature limits, and this update removes those restrictions. "We are working hard to scale unlimited access to advanced features to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible," the team stated. However, Microsoft warned that during high-demand periods, users might face temporary delays or interruptions due to security concerns, misuse, or violations of Copilot's terms. Copilot Pro subscribers, a paid tier, retain priority access to the latest AI models during peak times, early testing of new features, and expanded use in Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the team added. The rollout began on February 25, 2025, and users can try Voice and Think Deeper for free at copilot.microsoft.com.

Microsoft Gives Free and Unlimited Access to Think Deeper and Voice Mode in Copilot

Based on OpenAI's o1 model, the features no longer have daily rate limits, but the only thing that might hold users back is the server capacity. Microsoft on Tuesday announced free and unlimited access to its voice mode and the Think Deeper feature in Copilot. Both these features are powered by OpenAI's o1 reasoning model. The voice mode allows users to interact with Copilot using their voices, whereas the Think Deeper feature helps "tackle complex topics" with comprehensive outputs. The latter is analogous to the deep research features that most AI models are offering of late. "Our long-held belief has been that when AI is truly democratised, we'll be able to better empower people to harness its power," said Yusuf Mehdi, executive VP and CMO at Microsoft. "We're excited to continue to meet the demand we're seeing and enabling people to have extended conversations, take advantage of our advanced reasoning models and iterate with Copilot," he added. However, Mehdi also said that while the feature doesn't have any daily rate limits, the only thing that might slow users down is the server capacity. "We're actively scaling up to handle the demand," he added. Copilot Pro users will continue to have access to the latest models during peak usage, experimental AI features, and the ability to use Copilot in Microsoft 365 apps. As of October last year, Microsoft Copilot had 28 million active users across all platforms. Meanwhile, the company has reportedly cancelled leases for a significant data centre capacity in the US. This raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of AI infrastructure investments. Microsoft may be reassessing its AI computing needs, even as it pledges to spend $80 billion this fiscal year on compute infrastructure.

Microsoft Copilot users can now use Voice and Think Deeper capabilities without any limits

This update comes after many users hit usage restrictions, especially when trying to have longer conversations or dive into detailed topics. Microsoft is making its AI-powered Copilot even more useful. The company has announced that all users will now get free, unlimited access to the Voice and Think Deeper features. These tools are designed to make interactions with Copilot more natural and help users handle complex questions or tasks with ease. Whether you want to practice a new language, plan a big life decision, or get hands-free assistance, you can now do it without worrying about limits. This update comes after many users hit usage restrictions, especially when trying to have longer conversations or dive into detailed topics. Microsoft is removing those barriers, making Copilot a more reliable companion for learning, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Previously, Copilot users faced limits on how much they could use Voice and Think Deeper. Now, Microsoft has removed these restrictions, giving users more freedom to explore Copilot's full potential. Also read: Microsoft is testing free Office with Ads for Windows: Here's what we know so far Many users found it frustrating to hit limits when they needed Copilot the most. By making Voice and Think Deeper unlimited, Microsoft is giving users the flexibility to use AI whenever they need it. However, the tech giant does mention that there might be occasional delays during high-traffic periods or in cases of misuse. Also read: Microsoft Copilot users can now access OpenAI o1 model for free: All details While these features are now free and unlimited for everyone, Copilot Pro subscribers still get a few advantages. "Copilot Pro users will retain preferred access to our latest models during peak usage, early access to experimental AI features (more on that coming soon), and additional use of Copilot in select Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint," Microsoft said. Also read: Google wants US govt to break Microsoft and OpenAI partnership, here's why

Microsoft makes Copilot Voice and Think Deeper free with unlimited use

Tom Warren is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft made OpenAI's o1 reasoning model free for all Copilot users last month, and now it's providing unlimited use of this model and Copilot's voice capabilities to everyone. Previously, both Think Deeper (powered by o1) and Voice in Copilot had limits for free users, but Microsoft is removing these today to allow Copilot users to have extended conversations with the company's AI assistant. "We are working hard to scale unlimited access to advanced features to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, starting today with Voice and Think Deeper," says the Copilot team. "It's worth noting you may experience delays or interruptions during periods of high demand or if we detect security concerns, misuse or other violations of the Copilot Terms." The unlimited use of Copilot Voice and Think Deeper comes two years after Microsoft first launched Copilot inside its Bing search engine, and just a month after the software maker revamped its Copilot Pro subscription and bundled Office AI features into Microsoft 365. Microsoft is continuing to sell its $20 per month Copilot Pro subscription, and says users "will retain preferred access to our latest models during peak usage, early access to experimental AI features (more on that coming soon), and additional use of Copilot in select Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and PowerPoint."

Copilot Now Provides Free Unlimited Access to OpenAI's o1 Model

Microsoft now offers unlimited Copilot Voice and Think Deeper functionality for free users. These advanced features were already available to non-paying users, but they were bound by daily usage limits. As you might assume, Voice Mode allows you to communicate with Copilot through spoken language. You can access Voice Mode by pressing the microphone button on the right-hand side of the Copilot prompt window. It features four different pre-set voices, plus a dreamy animation of some water when accessed from a desktop browser. Related Bing Is Copying Google Search's AI Overviews Bing is right behind Google in the race to make a good AI search engine. Posts Copilot Think Deeper is an implementation of OpenAI's o1 reasoning model. It's a chatbot that "thinks" through its responses, effectively vetting itself for misinformation, hallucinations, or generally poor responses. To use Think Deeper, just press the big "Think Deeper" button in the Copilot prompt window -- it's right next to the microphone button. OpenAI charges its customers for the o1 model, so unlimited free access in Copilot is a pretty big deal. The same is true of ChatGPT Voice Mode, which free users may only access in a limited capacity. However, Microsoft notes that free Copilot accounts may experience delays or interruptions during peak usage hours (you may also have trouble logging in while people are clamoring to test Think Deeper -- it took Microsoft 20 minutes to send me a 2FA code). Those who pay $20 a month for Copilot Pro receive priority access to all functionality and should not experience delays except under extreme or unusual circumstances. I should also clarify that unlimited Voice Mode and Think Deeper utilization requires a Microsoft login. If you hit a rate limit, log in to an account. "Copilot users have spoken! We've seen incredible growth for Voice and Think Deeper, and have more and more people telling us they've hit those usage limits. Sooo...we're getting rid of them." - Mustafa Suleyman, CEO, Microsoft AI In my testing, Copilot's Think Deeper mode provided more accurate and thorough responses than the standard Copilot chatbot mode. It's clear that OpenAI's o1 reasoning model, which was rushed to the public after DeepSeek rocked the world in January, is good at refining and conveying information. It ain't perfect, and it will occasionally serve misinformation or hallucinations, but it's a nice tool for researching or brainstorming. Copilot Voice Mode is a different, more niche tool. If you just want to have a friendly conversation with a robot, hold a mock interview, or practice a foreign language, Voice Mode does the trick. But it can't facilitate intense research or analysis. Its responses are truncated for brevity, which naturally limits its usefulness in these areas. And, more importantly, humans aren't very good at spitting out pitch-perfect AI prompts. Maybe this is a me problem, but I can't speak a good prompt on the fly, especially when dealing with topics that I'm not very knowledgable in. Voice mode also feels unforgiving at times, as a short pause in your speech can be interpreted as "okay, Copilot, give me a response." Related 7 Reasons I Use ChatGPT for Search Instead of Google Move over Google, there's a much better way to search the internet. Posts To Microsoft's credit, Copilot Voice Mode is shockingly fast and articulate. And the company makes no scruples about its utility -- in its most recent blog post, Microsoft suggests that people use Voice Mode as a linguistic volley-ball and makes no mention of research or other functions that we more commonly associate with chatbots. It's an interesting product, but it doesn't have much utility for me, although I guess that I could use it to practice spoken-word prompt engineering. Fire up Copilot and log into your account to test unlimited-access Voice Mode or Think Deeper. Again, Microsoft says that you may experience delays or interruptions during peak usage. If Copilot feels slow, give it a few hours and try again. Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Copilot offers Voice and o1-powered Think Deeper for free

Microsoft that it is making some features available for free in its Copilot AI assistant. Everyone now has unlimited access to Voice and Think Deeper, which is powered by OpenAI's o1 model. Copilot got the Voice feature, which allows users to have conversations with the AI assistant, in . Think Deeper is intended to parse complicated queries, such as assessing the pros and cons of major home purchases, taking cost and long-term value into account. "We are working hard to scale unlimited access to advanced features to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible," the blog post noted. Microsoft noted that users could experience delays or interruptions during times of high usage for these newly free Copilot applications. Members of the Copilot Pro subscription will still have preferred access to the company's latest AI models at those peak usage times, as well as to new features that are still in the experimental stage.

Microsoft Lets Free Copilot AI Users Use Voice Conversation and Complex Query Tools

I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team. If you're a Copilot user, you now have more artificial intelligence tools at your fingertips: Microsoft is giving unlimited free access to Voice and Think Deeper on its free tier. Voice lets you have a conversation with the AI tool using verbal commands, while Think Deeper allows for more complex questions than regular Copilot, as it has more advanced reasoning powered by OpenAI's o1 model. Copilot, launched in 2022, is Microsoft's entry in the increasingly competitive world of AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. As tech companies compete against each other and new Chinese entrant DeepSeek for a foothold, they continue releasing new AI-powered features and tools -- and are now providing more for free after DeepSeek launched an entirely free service. These Voice and Think Deeper features are variations on interface, giving users different ways to engage with Microsoft's AI offerings. CNET Senior Editor and computing expert Lori Grunin tested Think Deeper out on Tuesday, confirming that while it's free, "at one point it stopped providing new answers to refined queries and a 'Get the full Copilot experience' popup and tried to get me to sign in." Grunin added that it didn't obey specific parameters during her test, either. I gave Voice a go without signing into a Copilot account, and it greeted me like a voice assistant, letting me know I can chat to it "just like with a mate" (it had a male, British accent, though it noted I could change how it sounded in the settings) and asking me my name. Its follow-up question, after mispronouncing my name, was the ever-generic: "What's on your mind?" I asked it the weather in my city, and it gave me up-to-date information as well as a recommendation to get "out and about" in the unseasonably sunny, warm weather. But it then told me I only had 2 minutes remaining of Voice time. So you really do have to create an account and sign in to get that unlimited access announced today. (When I closed the voice chat, Copilot gave me a transcript of our call.) You can become a Copilot user for free -- just sign up using a Microsoft email address. The free version limits what features you have access to, slows down your responses after 15 "boosts" per day and only gives you access to the latest models during non-peak times. There's a paid tier called Copilot Pro ($20/month) and an enterprise version that starts at $30 per user per month. Some of Microsoft's suggestions include using Voice for practicing a new language, asking it to help you practice for a job interview or asking it out loud for cooking advice or recipe steps while your hands are busy in the kitchen -- kind of like a voice assistant. For Think Deeper, Microsoft says some of the more complex issues it can help you with are comparing electric vehicles, asking it for home renovation advice and checking for the pros and cons of buying a generator for outages. As with all AI tools, you should be wary of what it advises you to do, however, and CNET recommends double checking everything it comes back with -- whether it's on-the-fly cooking advice that may lead you astray thanks to a hallucination, or coming up with a savings plan that makes no financial sense. You also shouldn't ever tell an AI chatbot any of your personal details, including financial information, lest a data breach leak it to malefactors. That said, our CNET review found Copilot to be one of the better AI tools, giving it a 7/10 as it generally provides accurate and relevant information. Senior writer Imad Khan does recommend Anthropic's Claude as the best AI chatbot, however, saying it "does a consistent job and goes further than what's coming out of Google, Microsoft, Perplexity and OpenAI at the free tier."

You can now use Microsoft's advanced AI tools as much as you like for free

Summary Microsoft Copilot's Voice and Think Deeper tools are now free without usage limits. Voice allows verbal commands to Copilot, while Think Deeper offers in-depth research capabilities. Think Deeper helps with complex tasks like comparing electric cars or making home renovation decisions. If you're a fan of using AI tools to make decisions or perform research, you'll know how expensive it can be to subscribe to advanced AI models. Fortunately, it appears Microsoft is trying to win the AI race by making its in-depth AI tools free for everyone to use an unlimited number of times. Related Microsoft Copilot: What is it, and how does it work? Is Microsoft Copilot the best AI chatbot available right now? Posts Microsoft Copilot's Voice and Think Deeper tools no longer have any usage limits As announced on the Microsoft Copilot blog, Voice and Think Deeper are now completely free to use without any limits. If you've never used them before, Voice allows you to talk to Copilot using a microphone. This is a great way to verbally ask it to perform tasks or even practice speaking a foreign language with the AI bot. Think Deeper is a little more complex. It tells Copilot to perform in-depth research on a topic and not to rely on basic surface knowledge. This is especially useful if you want opinions on complex or sensitive tasks that require a lot more research to answer properly. Microsoft gives these examples for Think Deeper use: Compare the best electric cars. I usually prioritize design and comfort, and I want to feel like my purchase is 'future-proof'. Make a novel scoring system to help me with my assessment. I have $15K to use on a home renovation. I'm deciding between a kitchen island, updated bathroom, or replacing the roof. What would increase the value of my home more over the next 3 years? I live in a neighborhood that has power outage every time there is high wind. Should I buy a generator? What are the pros and cons, things I should consider, and impact to my budget, and convenience. If you enjoy using Copilot and want to learn how to put it to good use, check out these projects Copilot can do for you in Office.

ChatGPT's advanced AI costs $200/mo. It's free for Windows users now

Microsoft is making access to OpenAI's o1 model free via Copilot's new 'Think Deeper' toggle. Microsoft is taking an aggressive step towards lowering the price of top-tier AI reasoning, giving Copilot users free, unlimited access to OpenAI's o1 model directly within Copilot's new "Think Deeper" feature. OpenAI released the o1 model in December, and company chief executive Sam Altman promised that it would be the most powerful model available. But it came with a catch: two subscriptions. OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro charges a whopping $200/mo for unlimited access to the model. The company's $20/mo service, ChatGPT Plus, also allows access to the o1 model, but with limited access. At the beginning of February, Microsoft's chief of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, announced that access to the o1 model would be available to Copilot users "everywhere at no cost." Access to the model is provided by Copilot's "Think Deeper" function, which requires a few seconds to ponder and research an answer and spit out a response. Because the Copilot app on Windows is now just a PWA, or webpage, you can access it by either the Copilot app on Windows or via copilot.microsoft.com. You'll need to sign in with a Microsoft account. (The "Think Deeper" control in Copilot is essentially a toggle switch. Just make sure it's "on," or highlighted, before you enter your query.) Microsoft quickly acknowledged that there was some sort of mysterious access limitation in place in the first iteration of Think Deeper, depending on how many people used it at the time. But now that's gone; on February 25, the Copilot Team said users now receive free, unlimited access to Think Deeper, as well as Copilot's Voice feature. "We are seeing a lot of excitement for Voice and Think Deeper and we know many of you have been hitting limits," the announcement said. "This should help. And if you haven't tried some of these experiences yet, there has never been a better time." Think Deeper is essentially a more thoughtful version of Copilot, which recently seems to have trended toward more cursory, shorter replies. Don't consider it a search engine, however; when asked, Think Deeper noted that its information was current up to October 2023. Instead, Think Deeper excels at what you might call evergreen research -- relating the evaporation cycle to hurricane development, or analysis of a given situation or historical event, for example. Think Deeper will write code and explain it, too: "Write a basic Windows application that can be used to draw a maze based upon the letters of the user's first name" produced a thorough process to develop the application, generating custom C# source files after several seconds. (I haven't taken the time to test it out and/or debut it, however.) Microsoft hasn't shown any indication that it will charge for Think Deeper, either via an outright payment or subscription, or via the credit system that it sneakily implemented as part of an upgraded Microsoft 365 subscription that included Copilot Plus. A Microsoft representative didn't respond immediately to a request for comment. Of course, the AI industry moves like lightning, and OpenAI has already announced o3, which uses a "private chain of thought" to develop more complex answers. According to various benchmarks, o3 is significantly better at solving software engineering challenges and solving logical problems. But it almost certainly won't be free, either.