Microsoft woos users 💬, Google raises rates 💼, OpenAI funds Axios 📰

💬 Copilot Chat Emerges as Microsoft's New AI Business Experience

🔑 Key takeaways:

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat offers a free-entry AI chat for businesses, featuring advanced agent capabilities.
Built on OpenAI’s GPT-4o, it provides reliable web-informed responses and supports domain-specific AI creation.
A strategic move to familiarize clients with Copilot's strength and potentially convert them to premium plans.

The Rede on this: Microsoft continues to blur the lines between simple and sophisticated AI interaction with the launch of its Copilot Chat. By leveraging OpenAI's robust models and offering it as a complimentary feature, Microsoft aims to showcase the value of its ecosystem while potentially expanding its Copilot subscriber base.

Explore more: Microsoft launches Copilot Chat with AI agents; take that, Gemini! (venturebeat.com)

💼 Google frees AI in Workspace but hikes prices

🔑 Key takeaways:

Google's AI features are now embedded for free in Workspace apps like Gmail and Docs, but overall prices are rising.
Workspace plan prices see a $2 hike per user monthly for enhanced capabilities.
This strategy is designed to boost AI adoption while keeping Google competitive in the productivity software market.

The Rede on this: Google's move to incorporate AI tools freely within standard plans is a strategic push to outshine competitors, stressing their commitment to AI accessibility. This shift helps organizations balance improved function with moderate price increases, influencing how digital workplaces are optimized globally.

Explore more: Google is making AI in Gmail and Docs free — but raising the price of Workspace (theverge.com)

📰 OpenAI Partners with Axios to Boost Local News Coverage

🔑 Key takeaways:

OpenAI is collaborating with Axios to fund the expansion of local newsletters in four new cities.
This venture marks OpenAI's first direct funding of a media company's newsroom.
The partnership's aim is to assist publishers in integrating AI tools effectively into their operations.

The Rede on this: This collaboration signals an exciting pivot in AI and journalism, showcasing how technology can bolster local news efforts and enhance the way media companies operate. By investing directly into the newsroom, OpenAI is not just a tech provider but an active participant in shaping the future of news dissemination.

Explore more: OpenAI is bankrolling Axios’ expansion into four new markets (techcrunch.com)