ChatGPT’s Advanced AI Free for Windows Users
Microsoft is taking an ambitious step to make advanced AI accessible by offering free access to OpenAI’s o1 model through the new “Think Deeper” feature available within Copilot. This move is significant, especially since OpenAI initially released the o1 model alongside two paid subscription tiers, charging users $200 per month for unlimited access through ChatGPT Pro or $20 per month via ChatGPT Plus with limited access.
On February 2, 2025, Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft’s chief of AI, announced the availability of the o1 model to Copilot users at no cost. However, there may be some restrictions based on user demand at any given time. Users will be able to access this feature through Copilot’s “Think Deeper” functionality, which allows the AI to take a few seconds to ponder and research answers before generating a response.
Copat on Windows is now available as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Users can access it via the Copilot app or through copilot.microsoft.com, provided they sign in with a Microsoft account. The “Think Deeper” toggle must be engaged to unlock its enhanced capabilities.
Unlike the more cursory responses typical of the Copilot, Think Deeper aims to provide thoughtful and thorough responses, focusing on what might be termed evergreen research topics such as the evaporation cycle’s relation to hurricane development. It can also perform coding tasks, such as generating C# source files for a basic Windows application that draws a maze based on the user’s name, showcasing its potential for practical applications.
As of now, Microsoft has not indicated any plans to monetize the Think Deeper feature, either through direct payment or a credit system associated with an upgraded Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Copilot Plus. The rapid pace of change in the AI sector, however, prompts questions about the longevity of this free access model.
Simultaneously, OpenAI has revealed its plans for o3, which aims to utilize a “private chain of thought” strategy for crafting even more complex and nuanced answers. Early benchmarks suggest that o3 performs significantly better in solving software engineering problems and logical challenges. Despite these developments, it is likely that o3 will not be offered for free.
This bold shift by Microsoft not only competes with established subscription-based AI services but also empowers users with advanced tools that could reshape their interactions with technology, thereby democratizing access to sophisticated AI solutions.