Microsoft Phases Out OpenAI and Anthropic Models in Copilot, Replacing with In-House MAI Models

What happened

Microsoft is quietly replacing OpenAI and Anthropic models in Copilot products (Excel, Outlook, GitHub Copilot) with its own MAI model series. AI chief Mustafa Suleyman confirmed the goal to 'reduce and ultimately eliminate' payments to Anthropic. Tens of thousands of requests per week already run through MAI.

Context and impact

Microsoft invested billions in OpenAI and became a major distributor of Anthropic models via Azure — it is now diversifying to cut licensing costs. Premium third-party models could become paid add-ons, effectively raising the cost of currently-included Copilot features. The move signals Microsoft's growing drive toward AI independence from its partners.

Details

• Products: Excel, Outlook, GitHub Copilot, and other Copilot integrations
• Replacement: Microsoft's in-house MAI models
• Suleyman quote: 'reduce and ultimately eliminate' payments to Anthropic
• Volume: tens of thousands of requests/week already via MAI
• User risk: potentially weaker performance; premium models as paid add-on
• Trend: Microsoft diversifying toward its own AI models