Microsoft adds Anthropic’s Claude models to Copilot 365
Key Points
- Microsoft 365 Copilot now includes Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1 for beta testers.
- A “Try Claude” button appears in the Researcher interface.
- Copilot Studio adds a drop‑down menu to switch between OpenAI and Claude models.
- OpenAI remains the primary engine for most Copilot functions.
- Claude access is provided through the Frontier beta program with an opt‑in requirement.
- Claude is positioned to enhance complex, multistep research tasks.
- Charles Lamanna said Anthropic models will bring more powerful experiences to Copilot.
Microsoft announced that Anthropic’s Claude models are now available to beta testers of Microsoft 365 Copilot. The new integration appears as a “Try Claude” button in Copilot’s Researcher tool and as a model‑selection drop‑down in Copilot Studio, letting users switch between OpenAI and Anthropic models. While Copilot will continue to rely on OpenAI’s latest models for most tasks, the Claude Opus 4.1 model adds a new option for complex, multistep research. Access is provided through Microsoft’s Frontier beta program, with an opt‑in required before wider rollout.
Integration of Claude Models into Copilot 365
Microsoft 365 Copilot is expanding its AI toolkit by introducing Anthropic’s Claude models to beta testers. The rollout adds a “Try Claude” button to the upper‑right corner of the Researcher interface, offering users an immediate way to activate the new model for research tasks. In Copilot Studio, the AI agent development environment, a drop‑down menu now lets developers choose between OpenAI’s models and Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1, providing flexibility in how AI assistance is configured.
Continued Reliance on OpenAI
Despite the addition of Claude, Microsoft emphasized that Copilot will continue to be powered primarily by OpenAI’s latest models. The company’s announcement underscored that OpenAI remains the main driver of most Copilot functionalities, while the Claude integration serves as an additional option for users who need the specific capabilities of Anthropic’s offering.
Beta Access Through the Frontier Program
The Claude integration is being delivered through Microsoft’s Frontier program, an optional beta channel for AI previews. Users who wish to test the new model must sign up for Frontier, then opt‑in to enable Claude within the Copilot experience. This approach allows Microsoft to gather feedback while gradually expanding availability of the Anthropic models.
Potential Impact on User Experience
Anthropic’s Claude models are designed to support complex, multistep research scenarios, aligning with Copilot’s Researcher tool’s goal of helping users tackle intricate queries. By offering a choice between OpenAI and Anthropic models, Copilot gives users the ability to select the engine that best fits their workflow, potentially enhancing productivity and the depth of AI‑driven insights.
Future Outlook
Microsoft’s Charles Lamanna hinted that the Anthropic integration is just the beginning, stating, "Anthropic models will bring even more powerful experiences to Microsoft 365 Copilot." The company indicated that broader public rollout is planned after the beta phase, suggesting that Claude’s presence in Copilot could become a standard feature for all users.