Microsoft Copilot: Limited Adoption Despite Investment

Microsoft Struggles to Convince with Its Copilot Tool

Microsoft, which has invested billions in the development of artificial intelligence, is facing limited adoption of its Copilot tool. Currently, only 3.3% of Microsoft 365 users have chosen to pay for this service, despite the company's considerable efforts to integrate it into its software suite.

Terms of Use Highlighting Limitations

The terms of use for Copilot, updated on October 24, describe the service as being "for entertainment purposes only." Microsoft clarifies that Copilot may make mistakes and recommends not relying on it for important advice. Therefore, using the tool is at one's own risk. However, a Microsoft spokesperson told PCMag that this language, inherited from an earlier version, no longer reflects the current state of the product and will be modified in an upcoming update.

This cautious approach is not exclusive to Microsoft. Other companies in the sector, such as xAI and OpenAI, also express reservations about the accuracy and reliability of their tools.

Paid Adoption Remains Marginal

Despite the enthusiastic statements from Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, regarding the growth of the user base, the economic reality is less rosy. Of the 450 million users of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 who have access to Copilot Chat, only 3.3% have subscribed to the paid offering. This service, priced at $30 per user per month since 2023, is integrated into flagship applications such as Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Microsoft claims 15 million paid licenses, representing a 160% growth in one year. However, this figure remains low compared to the total subscriber base. Amy Hood, Microsoft's Chief Financial Officer, downplayed criticisms regarding the return on investment, stating that judging AI spending solely by Azure's growth was not relevant.