Microsoft Prepares a Super AI Copilot App for Consumers and Businesses

What happened?

According to an exclusive report from Gizmodo, Microsoft is developing an AI 'super app' called Copilot that will unify all the capabilities of its AI assistant into a single application for both consumers and businesses. The app, which could be available on iOS, Android, and the web, will integrate chat, search, image generation, and task automation features, directly competing with OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus and Google's Gemini. Unlike current Copilot integrations in Office 365 and Windows, this super app will offer an independent, centralized experience, leveraging the Microsoft ecosystem (Office 365, Azure, Bing) to provide an omnichannel assistant.

The Gizmodo report, citing internal sources, indicates that the app will allow users to perform multiple tasks without leaving the platform: from drafting documents and analyzing data in Excel to generating images with DALL-E (through the partnership with OpenAI) and searching for information on Bing. Additionally, it is expected to include workflow automation features, such as scheduling meetings in Teams or managing emails in Outlook. Microsoft has not officially confirmed the launch, but the leak suggests the announcement could come in the coming months, possibly at the Microsoft Build event in May 2025.

Why is this important?

This move represents Microsoft's most ambitious bet to centralize its AI offering, directly competing with the super apps of its rivals: ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Gemini (Google). By integrating Copilot into a single app, Microsoft aims to retain its enterprise users—already accustomed to Office 365 and Azure—and attract consumers with a unified experience. The super app could become the entry point for all interactions with Microsoft's AI, from daily productivity to complex workflow automation.

Historically, Microsoft has tried to create comprehensive platforms without success, such as Windows Phone or Cortana integration. However, the explosion of generative AI in 2023 has changed the game. According to Statista data, the AI assistant market will reach $19.6 billion in 2025, and Microsoft wants to capture a significant share. The Copilot super app will not only compete with ChatGPT but could also cannibalize sales of its own Copilot subscriptions integrated into Office 365, indicating a long-term strategy to dominate the AI ecosystem.

Furthermore, the decision to launch a standalone app suggests Microsoft wants to partially distance itself from OpenAI, its investment partner. Although Microsoft has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI, the relationship has become strained after the launch of ChatGPT Enterprise and rumors that OpenAI is seeking funds to compete directly with Azure. With its own super app, Microsoft reduces its dependence on OpenAI and offers an alternative integrated with its own services.

Market consequences

• Direct competition with ChatGPT: Microsoft, which invested in OpenAI, is now launching a product that competes with ChatGPT, which could strain the relationship between the two companies. OpenAI, which relies on Azure for its infrastructure, might see this as a betrayal. On the other hand, Google, which already has Gemini integrated into its ecosystem, also faces a formidable competitor.
• Platform strategy: Like WeChat in China, Microsoft seeks to create a closed ecosystem where users perform multiple tasks without leaving the app, increasing usage time and dependency. WeChat has over 1.3 billion active users and offers everything from messaging to payments and government services. Microsoft Copilot could replicate this model in the West, but with a focus on productivity and business automation.
• Impact on businesses: Companies already using Microsoft 365 could adopt Copilot as their primary assistant, displacing other AI tools like Jasper, Notion AI, or even ChatGPT Enterprise. According to Gartner, 80% of businesses will use AI assistants by 2026, and Microsoft is well-positioned to capture that market thanks to its installed base of over 345 million Office 365 subscribers.
• Privacy and data: The centralization of features could raise concerns about data handling, especially in the enterprise space. Microsoft has promised that customer data is not used to train models, but deep integration with services like Azure and Bing could expose sensitive information. Additionally, the super app could collect usage data from multiple sources, increasing regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe under GDPR.

What readers should know

The Copilot super app does not yet have a release date, but Microsoft is expected to announce it in the coming months, possibly in May 2025. Microsoft 365 users already have access to Copilot integrated into Word, Excel, and Teams, but the new app will offer an independent experience with additional features. It is speculated that it could include a free plan with limitations (such as a maximum number of daily queries) and a premium subscription that unlocks full access to advanced models, Azure integration, and task automation. Developers will also be able to create plugins to extend the app's functionality, similar to OpenAI's GPTs.

According to sources close to Gizmodo, the super app will include a voice assistant, visual search capabilities, and a unified user interface that allows switching between chat, image generation, and automation modes seamlessly. Additionally, it is expected to integrate contextual memory features, similar to what ChatGPT offers with persistent memory, to personalize responses based on the user's history.

For consumers, the app could be an attractive alternative to ChatGPT Plus, especially if Microsoft offers competitive pricing. Currently, ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month, while Copilot Pro (integrated into Office 365) costs $30 per month. It is rumored that the super app will have a similar or even lower price to attract users. However, the real value will lie in integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, which could justify a higher price for businesses.

In terms of competition, Google is also developing a Gemini super app that will integrate its search, email, and calendar services. The race for the AI super app is in full swing, and Microsoft has an advantage thanks to its enterprise user base and cloud infrastructure. However, success will depend on ease of use, privacy, and the ability to innovate quickly.

"Microsoft is replicating WeChat's strategy: creating a closed ecosystem where users don't need to leave the app for anything. If successful, they could dominate the AI assistant market in both consumer and enterprise." — TheVortiq