When Microsoft unveiled CoPilot 365 at US$30 per user, per month, it wasn’t pricing a product—it was managing a stock price.
Redmond’s financial engineers needed to justify their $100 billion CapEx splurge, so they stitched together a narrative: AI was going to print money, enterprise customers would open the spigots, and CoPilot would ride the golden escalator to accelerated revenue growth. BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, Microsoft and MGX launch new AI partnership to invest in data centers and supporting power infrastructure - Stories
There was just one problem: Customers either didn’t buy, or many bought 50–100 licenses.
IT budgets balked at a 50% uplift on E3 pricing for a tool that some use to complete emails a little faster—until they are trained on how to use it and IT reviews internal data security.
Microsoft quietly pulled back on datacenter expansion, cancelling DC capacity leases. Microsoft data center leases slowing, analysts say, raising investor attention | Reuters
And now? Cue the forced adoption tactics.
🔹 Bundled sales tactics are already in motion—expect CoPilot to get “strategically included” in renewals, whether you want it or not.
🔹 Microsoft has started embedding CoPilot into M365 consumer licenses, shifting the conversation from voluntary adoption to baked-in, opt-out pricing models. Copilot is now included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family | Microsoft 365 Blog
🔹 Azure commits could soon be the next hostage in this negotiation.
🔹 If you’re an EA customer, don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly “upgraded” to CoPilot, with a pricing footnote buried in the fine print.
So, what happens if CoPilot were priced at, say, US$15 per user, per month?
📈 Adoption would surge. Once CoPilot usage reaches a critical mass in an organization, it drives demand for broader deployment, as workflows and collaboration naturally adapt to AI-powered efficiencies.
💰 Revenue would still balloon, but with real customers instead of paper forecasts.
🚫 Microsoft wouldn’t have to shove it down customers’ throats.
Instead, they’re clinging to the mirage of a $30 AI gold rush, while IT leaders across the world politely decline their invitations to be price-gouged.
Welcome to the Enchanted Unreality of CoPilot 365 Pricing.