Microsoft launches new software suite focused on artificial intelligence for $99 per month

Microsoft is launching a new suite of workplace software to encourage more people to use artificial intelligence tools in the office. The E7 package will cost $99 per user per month, a 65% increase over the price of Microsoft's previous flagship package, xrust notes. It will include a variety of widely used tools such as Word and Excel, as well as the Copilot AI voice assistant and a feature that allows administrators to evaluate a company's use of AI.

According to Jared Spataro, who oversees workplace applications, the new package is due to high demand for artificial intelligence tools from Microsoft. “If we can bring all of this together for customers, it will be much easier for them to purchase and deploy the product, and it will be much easier for us to sell it.”

In January, Microsoft said that more than 450 million corporate users pay for its office tools, according to https://www.bloomberg. However, only about 3% of them also pay for Copilot, ChatGPT's business-focused counterpart.

Regulatory compliance and security concerns are often cited as barriers to AI adoption in the workplace. In November, Microsoft introduced a tool to help customers track and manage their use of the technology.

The inclusion of this tool, called Agent 365, is one of the main advantages of the new software package, Spataro said. According to Microsoft, the E7 bundle is cheaper than buying each tool separately.

Bringing together a wide range of software has been a key factor in Microsoft's success in convincing businesses to standardize the use of its products. It's been over a decade since the company announced its latest flagship package, dubbed the E5.

Xrust Microsoft launches new software suite focused on artificial intelligence for $99 per month