Key facts
- OpenAI has announced that its GPT 5.6 model will be the preferred model for Microsoft's 365 Copilot.
- This announcement comes after reports that Microsoft was increasingly using its own in-house AI models, MAI, to power applications like Word and Excel.
- GPT 5.6 will support Microsoft users across its suite of productivity applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Cowork.
- OpenAI stated its partnership with Microsoft aims to bring advanced AI benefits to more individuals and organizations.
OpenAI has announced that its GPT 5.6 model will serve as the "preferred model" for powering Microsoft's 365 Copilot, an effort to address recent speculation about a potential rift between the two tech giants. This announcement follows reports that Microsoft had begun integrating its own in-house AI models, known as MAI, into applications such as Word and Excel as a cost-saving measure.
During the launch of GPT 5.6 on Thursday, OpenAI clarified that its software will continue to support Microsoft users across its productivity suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Cowork. The company emphasized its ongoing commitment to the partnership, stating its goal has always been to extend the benefits of advanced AI to a wider audience.
While the exact implications of being named the "preferred model" remain somewhat unclear, the designation suggests continued integration of OpenAI's technology within Microsoft's ecosystem. This move appears intended to counter narratives of divergence, although it does not necessarily negate previous reports about Microsoft's increased reliance on its own AI solutions for cost reduction.