TLDRs:
- Copilot source code hints at upcoming integration with OpenAI’s next-gen model, GPT-5.
- New smart mode could let Copilot automatically select the best AI model for each task.
- Microsoft’s early access to GPT-5 reinforces its billion-dollar partnership with OpenAI.
- The AI arms race is shifting from model quality to intelligent automation and usability.
Microsoft appears to be quietly preparing its Copilot assistant for integration with GPT-5, OpenAI’s anticipated next-generation large language model.
References to GPT-5 were recently spotted in the source code of Microsoft’s Copilot web app, sparking speculation that internal testing is already underway.
The upcoming “smart mode” feature, also hinted at in the code, aims to let Copilot intelligently choose the most suitable model for each user prompt, streamlining the experience and removing the need for manual selection. While Copilot still officially runs on GPT-4, these indicators suggest that GPT-5 may be around the corner.
Microsoft has not confirmed or denied the inclusion of GPT-5 in its AI stack, remaining tight-lipped when asked to comment. However, if history is any guide, the company is likely already testing the new model internally, much like it did with GPT-4 and the o1 reasoning engine before their public announcements.
Smart Mode Marks Shift to Seamless AI
The introduction of smart mode is part of a growing industry trend: simplify how users interact with complex AI systems. As the number of models grows, tech firms like Microsoft and Google are racing to abstract away that complexity through smart automation.
With smart mode, Copilot could analyze a user’s prompt and determine whether GPT-4, GPT-5, or another specialized model is best suited to respond. This not only enhances usability but also unlocks AI’s potential for non-technical users.
Google’s AI Mode has already taken a similar path, and according to recent internal metrics, it boosted complex query engagement by over 10%. If Microsoft’s smart mode proves effective, it could give Copilot a significant edge in enterprise and productivity settings.
Microsoft’s OpenAI Edge Fuels AI Lead
Microsoft’s close relationship with OpenAI, cemented through a $1 billion investment in 2019, continues to pay dividends. That deal gave Microsoft priority access to OpenAI’s most powerful technologies, allowing it to deploy new models long before competitors.
The exclusivity agreement has translated into real strategic gains: Microsoft integrated GPT-4 into Bing search six weeks before OpenAI made it public. Similarly, Copilot rapidly rolled out OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model this year as part of its evolving toolkit.
This head start enables Microsoft to refine user experience, gather real-world feedback, and expand enterprise adoption of its AI services faster than rivals. It also cements Azure as the go-to platform for scalable, commercial AI applications.
Copilot Expands AI for Browsing and Tasks
The GPT-5 integration isn’t the only Copilot evolution in progress. Last month, Microsoft launched a new Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, merging AI into daily browsing. Users can now manage tasks, organize tabs by topics, compare information, and even interact with the web via voice, all through a single AI-powered interface.
Crucially, Microsoft is offering transparency by displaying visual cues when Copilot is active and ensuring all advanced tasks, like managing credentials or accessing browsing history are opt-in only.
Together with the upcoming smart mode, these improvements point to a unified Copilot ecosystem, one that extends from enterprise workflows to personal web browsing, all powered by OpenAI’s most advanced tools.
