It’s no secret that Microsoft has been steadily weaving artificial intelligence into its platforms, services, and products. At the heart of this effort is Copilot, the company’s official AI assistant designed to boost productivity across its ecosystem.
We’ve already seen how AI has enhanced tools like Microsoft Teams, bringing smarter features to everyday workflows. Now, Microsoft is turning its focus to its flagship Office suite. According to a report from The Verge, users of Microsoft 365 will soon see new AI-powered capabilities across Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook.
These additions aim to streamline tasks, automate repetitive work, and make content creation faster and more intuitive, further cementing AI as a core part of the Microsoft 365 experience.
Microsoft 365 Apps Get Free Copilot Chat Integration
While there are plenty of alternatives to office software—including open-source and free solutions—Microsoft Office still stands as the go-to choice for millions of users worldwide, especially in business environments. Its apps are already powerful, but now they’re about to get even better with new AI capabilities.
Microsoft has started rolling out updates to Excel, Outlook, Word, OneNote, and PowerPoint, introducing a new Copilot Chat sidebar. This feature allows users to interact directly with Microsoft’s AI assistant within each app, making it possible to draft text, analyze spreadsheets, summarize notes, prepare presentations, and more—all without leaving the workspace.
The best part? Copilot Chat is available at no extra cost for Microsoft 365 users. However, you’ll still need a Copilot license, which currently costs around €30 per month.
Those with the license will also get priority access to advanced features like image generation, file uploads, and cutting-edge models such as GPT-5.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has expanded AI inside Office apps. Previous updates brought collaborative AI features to Microsoft 365 plans, though subscription prices increased as a result.
Still, the addition of a dedicated Copilot Chat bar is a major step forward. It gives users an easy way to tap into AI assistance, boosting both productivity and creativity across the suite.
