Integration Brings Anthropic Claude AI Models to Copilot
- By John K. Waters
- 10/08/25
Microsoft has integrated Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence models to its Microsoft 365 Copilot platform, giving enterprise users another option beyond OpenAI's models for powering workplace AI experiences.
The integration brings Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 to Microsoft's Researcher agent and Copilot Studio, allowing organizations to select the AI model that best fits their business needs. Microsoft said the Claude models will first be available through its Frontier Program for licensed 365 Copilot customers who opt in.
Claude models will initially be available through Microsoft's Researcher agent, which the company describes as a reasoning tool for complex, multi-step research tasks. Users will also be able to access Claude through Copilot Studio, Microsoft's platform for building custom AI agents for enterprises.
The integration represents an expansion beyond Microsoft's existing partnership with OpenAI, whose models have powered Copilot since its launch. Microsoft said it remains committed to using OpenAI's models while adding Claude as an additional option.
"The addition of Claude Sonnet 4 and Claude Opus 4.1 advances our commitment to bring the best AI innovation from across the industry to Microsoft 365 Copilot," Charles Lamanna, Microsoft's President of Business & Industry Copilot, said in the blog post.
The Claude models are being made available through Microsoft's Frontier Program to licensed Microsoft 365 Copilot customers who opt in. Microsoft noted that Anthropic's models are hosted outside Microsoft-managed environments and are subject to Anthropic's terms of service.
Organization administrators can enable access to the Anthropic models through the Microsoft 365 admin center, according to the company.
San Francisco-based Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives, has positioned its Claude models as competitors to OpenAI's GPT series and other large language models in the enterprise market.
Microsoft's move to offer multiple AI model options reflects broader industry trends toward giving enterprise customers choice in selecting AI capabilities suited to specific use cases.
For more information, read the Microsoft blog.
About the Author
John K. Waters is the editor in chief of a number of Converge360.com sites, with a focus on high-end development, AI and future tech. He's been writing about cutting-edge technologies and culture of Silicon Valley for more than two decades, and he's written more than a dozen books. He also co-scripted the documentary film Silicon Valley: A 100 Year Renaissance, which aired on PBS. He can be reached at [email protected].