Microsoft gives Copilot another makeover, adding an Autopilot agent and usage-based billing
Microsoft revamps Copilot with an OpenClaw-based Autopilot agent, a Code section, and usage-based billing replacing flat-rate pricing.
Microsoft is launching Autopilot, a Copilot agent built on OpenClaw that runs persistently in the cloud with its own computer, workspace, storage, and identity. The Copilot app splits into Home, Code, and Autopilot sections, with Code letting non-developers build apps via natural language in the Copilot Managed Runtime. Autopilot, Code, and Cowork shift to usage-based billing, with an auto-router selecting models including frontier options like OpenAI's Astra and Anthropic's Fable. Autopilot enters private preview in late September, with a consumer rollout planned later.
- Autopilot agent gets dedicated cloud computer, storage, and identity; runs while users are offline
- Code section lets non-developers build apps and automations via natural language
- Usage-based billing replaces flat-rate pricing; standard license covers only chat and Office integration
- Auto-router picks models by accuracy, speed, and cost, including frontier models Astra and Fable
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Microsoft is launching a Copilot agent built on OpenClaw that the company calls "Autopilot." The update splits the Copilot app into three sections: Home, Code, and Autopilot.
Formerly known as "Scout," the agent works much like OpenClaw as a proactive, always-on assistant for businesses. Each Autopilot instance gets its own cloud computer, workspace, storage, and identity, allowing it to monitor Teams channels, coordinate supplier evaluations, or handle recurring tasks without human input.
Users can trigger Autopilot via an @mention in Teams, Outlook, or documents, and it keeps running in the cloud even when they're offline. According to Microsoft's head of AI marketing, Jared Spataro, the agent uses Microsoft IQ to understand how an organization actually operates and includes permissions, auditing, and governance.
The new "Code" section lets even non-developers build apps, dashboards, and automations using natural language. It's built on the same technology as GitHub Copilot and runs in a secure environment through the Copilot Managed Runtime.
"Home" combines chat and collaboration, including an upcoming "Today" feature that surfaces email, calendar, Teams messages, and tasks in a single dashboard. That feature will enter private preview in October. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are now embedded directly in Copilot.
Usage-based billing replaces flat-rate pricing
Microsoft is shifting Autopilot, Code, and Cowork to usage-based billing instead of a flat rate, similar to how ChatGPT Enterprise works beyond a certain quota. The standard Copilot license now covers only chat and Office app integrations, and as previously announced, the company is pulling back from subsidizing AI usage through flat-rate plans.
An auto-router handles model selection for Office integrations, picking the right model for each request based on accuracy, speed, and cost. Microsoft will likely favor its own models, which are optimized for efficiency but can't match the quality of frontier models.
IT admins can also control which model families are available to specific user groups, and according to Microsoft, usage-based billing features will tap frontier models like OpenAI's Astra and Anthropic's Fable as well. New FinOps-for-AI tools are meant to help companies manage their AI spending.
Consumer rollout is on the roadmap
Nadella plans to eventually bring Autopilot to consumers too, citing more than 100 million consumer subscribers across the Microsoft ecosystem. In the enterprise space, he sees the agent market as much bigger than the cloud market, while for consumers, agents could replace existing middlemen.
Home and Code will roll out over the coming weeks through Microsoft's Frontier program. Autopilot will launch in late September as a private preview, and Code is expected to become available later this year for Microsoft 365 Premium and Pro subscribers.
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