Microsoft adds Anthropic models to Microsoft 365 Copilot as reactions split

Microsoft is expanding model choice in Microsoft 365 Copilot to include Anthropic’s Claude models, with early access rolling out alongside ongoing use of OpenAI models.

Microsoft has announced that Microsoft 365 Copilot will support Anthropic models in addition to OpenAI models. Microsoft 365 Copilot is the company’s AI layer for its productivity suite, and the update introduces Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 for select use cases.

Anthropic develops the Claude family of AI models focused on enterprise and safety features. The company says customers can opt to use Claude models in Researcher and when building agents in Copilot Studio, with broader availability to follow.

Organizations can toggle between OpenAI and Anthropic models in Researcher and choose Claude models in Copilot Studio to build and orchestrate agents. Access begins through the Frontier Program for opted-in Microsoft 365 Copilot customers, with admins enabling the feature in the Microsoft 365 admin center. Microsoft notes that Anthropic models are hosted outside Microsoft-managed environments and are subject to Anthropic’s Terms of Service.

LinkedIn posts highlight enthusiasm and concerns

Reactions to the announcement appeared quickly on LinkedIn. Conor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern, wrote, “Microsoft Copilot now allows you to use Anthropic's Claude! This is big for a few reasons (not least of which is that I freakin' love Claude).”

He added that expanding beyond OpenAI marks a major shift, noting, “The big news here is that Microsoft is expanding beyond its historically exclusive reliance on OpenAI and offering more choice and flexibility. Truth is, I don’t think they could have done better than partnering with Anthropic.”

Lee Mager, Digital Innovation Lead at LSE Law School, shared a different view after revising an earlier post, writing, “I've deleted my post from this morning expressing excitement for Microsoft offering Claude models as part of M365 Copilot… This is NOT the case—Microsoft say on their website: ‘When your organization chooses to use an Anthropic model, your organization is choosing to share your data with Anthropic … This data is processed outside all Microsoft-managed environments and audit controls, ... In addition, Microsoft’s data-residency commitments, audit and compliance requirements, service level agreements, and Customer Copyright Commitment do not apply to your use of Anthropic services.’”

He continued, “This Anthropic addition is effectively inviting a 3rd party AI lab to access any and all internal work data.”

Grennan concluded, “This is really big for power users who understand the differences between models and are looking to tailor to business needs. (So not everyone will take advantage of this, which is fine.)”

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