Microsoft Integrates Claude into Copilot, Faces Governance Challenges

Microsoft has expanded its AI foundation models within the Microsoft 365 Copilot suite by incorporating Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 alongside OpenAI’s GPT models. This update allows users to choose between OpenAI and Anthropic models in the Researcher agent or when building agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio.

The Researcher agent, described as a first-of-its-kind reasoning tool, can now be powered by either OpenAI’s deep reasoning models or Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1. It is designed to assist users in developing market strategies and conducting complex research.

In Copilot Studio, Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 enable the creation and customization of enterprise-grade agents. These models support deep reasoning and workflow automation, allowing enterprises to manage agents effectively.

The inclusion of Anthropic models marks Microsoft’s shift towards a multi-model strategy, providing a backup option if one system fails. This move is part of Microsoft’s effort to diversify its AI partnerships and reduce reliance on OpenAI.

Unlike OpenAI's GPT models, which run on Azure, Anthropic's Claude operates on AWS, crossing cloud boundaries and introducing governance challenges. Enterprises must ensure data security and compliance when using these models.