I saw a post warning people that @microsoft.com was automatically switching people to a more expensive subscription plan for Microsoft 365 after adding Copilot AI, so I logged in to see if something had changed for me. Nothing. Great. But wait, there's more... (1/10)
I notice there's an "AI Credit Balance" section (pictured below), and I have 60 credits. What is this? Each time you use AI in any of the apps, it costs one credit. And there is a monthly 60-credit limit which re-ups at the beginning of every month. (2/10)
"This is...weird," I think to myself, and click "Learn more about AI credits." On that page, I learn not only that unused credits don't roll over, but also that AI credits can be purchased if you need more (see below). (3/10)
There are two ways to do so: subscribe to 365 Personal or Family, or you can subscribe to Copilot Pro. I have Personal, so I look for the place to purchase AI credits. Nothing. I look everywhere. Nothing. Strange. So I click on the "Microsoft 365 Personal" link. (4/10)
That takes me to the buy/sub page, which doesn't apply to me since I subscribe. There is no place to purchase AI credits. But I start looking around and notice a caveat: "Usage limits apply to Copilot and AI image creation." Turns out, subs only get 60 credits per month. (5/10)
I'm confused, so I check out the 365 Family option. Same thing. No place to purchase additional credits, but with the additional caveat: "Copilot and AI image creation are only available to the subscription owner and usage limits apply." That's...not great. (6/10)
I do some more checking and find out that subscribers get 60-credits/month, while non-subs get 15/month. So how does one get more AI credits? That's when I go back to the "Understanding AI Credits" page and click on "subscribing to Copilot Pro." Hoo boy... (7/10)
Microsoft Copilot Pro costs $20/month, and as far as I can tell it gives you full access to AI without the need for credits. Microsoft is trying to push people into paying even more for a shitty AI service. I'm not subbing because "AI" is bullshit and doesn't work. (8/10)
I also have a feeling that a lot of people won't subscribe. Which begs the question: If Microsoft can't get enough people to subscribe voluntarily to Copilot, when will they automatically include it into 365 and increase to subscription cost? (9/10)
This is bound to happen either way, I fear. It is a tale as old as time. But they know those of us who know that "AI" is bullshit won't pay, so they are relying on the "rubes" who buy in or don't know any better. It is also extremely under-handed and slimy. I hate it all. (10/10)