Microsoft will soon integrate artificial intelligence models from Anthropic into some features of Office 365, a strategic move that weakens the previous exclusivity of OpenAI in Microsoft products and signals a move towards a more diversified and pragmatic approach to AI.
For years, Microsoft has firmly based the development of AI features in applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the technology of its key partner, OpenAI, in which it has invested more than $13 billion.
However, internal testing within the Office AI development teams has shown that for specific tasks, Anthropic’s latest models, such as Claude Sonnet 4, outperform competitor solutions. This is especially true for automating complex financial functions in Excel and generating aesthetically pleasing, ready-to-use PowerPoint presentations.
The decision is part of Microsoft’s broader strategy, which also includes the development of its own AI models and integration with other providers, such as DeepSeek in the Azure cloud.
The aim is to maximise efficiency and select the best tool for a specific task, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
At the same time, the company stresses that the partnership with OpenAI remains intact and crucial, especially in the context of the most advanced ‘frontier’ models.
Interestingly, to access Anthropic’s models, Microsoft will be paying its biggest market rival, Amazon Web Services.
AWS is a major investor in Anthropic and shares its technology in its cloud. This relationship shows how complex and multidimensional alliances are becoming in the age of generative artificial intelligence.
According to unofficial information, the move will be announced in the coming weeks. For end users, nothing will change – the price of the AI tools in Office is expected to remain at its current level. The change of technology provider is solely aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of selected features.
