Microsoft Is Adding Anthropic’s Claude to Its AI Tools. Here’s What It Can Do for Businesses

Microsoft is expanding the lineup of AI models used to power 365 Copilot, its workplace-focused AI service. The move is a sign that Microsoft is actively working to lessen its reliance on OpenAI‘s models after investing over $10 billion in the company. In its blog post announcing the news, Microsoft said that while 365 Copilot will continue to be primarily powered by OpenAI’s models, users will now be able to harness Anthropic’s models in two specific ways. One is in Researcher, a 365 Copilot feature that searches the internet and analyzes internal data like emails, Teams chats, and files, in order to conduct deep research. Normally, Researcher runs on models developed by OpenAI, but 365 Copilot customers will now have the option of using Claude’s Opus 4.1 model (the company’s most advanced model currently available) instead. Microsoft said that Opus 4.1 in Researcher could be used to accomplish tasks like “building a detailed go-to-market strategy, analyzing emerging product trends, or creating a comprehensive quarterly report.” The other method for using Claude in 365 Copilot is within Copilot Studio, a feature that enables users to build customized AI agents that can automate workflows. Users will now be able to easily select Claude Opus 4.1 or Claude Sonnet 4 (Anthropic’s mid-sized model) when creating agents. Microsoft says users will even be able to orchestrate whole teams of agents, all powered by different AI models, to work in tandem in order to accomplish tasks. Workplaces with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses can now use Claude in Researcher and Copilot Studio, but only if opted-in by an administrator. Microsoft wrote that “this is just the beginning,” and that users should stay tuned for Anthropic models to “bring even more powerful experiences to Microsoft 365 Copilot.” Microsoft is also reportedly working on an AI marketplace for news and media publishers, according to Axios. The marketplace would enable publishers to sell their content to AI companies, who would in turn use that content to train their new AI models. Axios reported that Microsoft discussed plans for the marketplace at its invite-only Partner Summit in Monaco. BY BEN SHERRY @BENLUCASSHERRY