TLDR: Microsoft Copilot is rolling out a new “Smart” mode designed to automatically select the most suitable AI model for a given task, potentially leveraging OpenAI’s highly anticipated GPT-5. This development aims to streamline the user experience by eliminating the need for manual model selection and is seen as a strategic move by Microsoft to integrate advanced AI capabilities.
Microsoft is reportedly introducing a new “Smart” mode within its Copilot AI assistant, a feature that could be powered by OpenAI’s next-generation large language model, GPT-5. This new mode, which has been spotted by TestingCatalog and is currently available to select users on both the Copilot app and website, aims to revolutionize user interaction by allowing Copilot to “think deeply or quickly based on the task,” thereby automatically selecting the most appropriate AI model for a given query.
The integration of GPT-5, which OpenAI is rumored to be launching in early August, would significantly enhance Copilot’s capabilities, offering improvements in areas such as advanced reasoning and autonomous task execution. Microsoft’s description of the Smart mode suggests that GPT-5 will possess both reasoning and non-reasoning functionalities, aligning with recent hints from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
This move underscores Microsoft’s strategic advantage stemming from its exclusive partnership and substantial investment in OpenAI, dating back to 2019. Historically, Microsoft has been quick to adopt new OpenAI models for Copilot shortly after their release. For instance, Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing utilized GPT-4 for six weeks before OpenAI’s official announcement, and Copilot rapidly integrated OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model as part of a major overhaul.
The “Smart” mode is accessed via a model selector located just below the text field in the Copilot interface. While internal versions of Copilot currently indicate the use of GPT-4, the early appearance of references to GPT-5 and the “Smart” mode suggests that Microsoft engineers are actively preparing for the upcoming model’s release. Microsoft has declined to comment on the GPT-5 references or the new Smart mode.
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This development also reflects a broader industry trend among tech giants to simplify AI interactions by creating unified interfaces that automatically select optimal models, thereby alleviating users from the burden of technical choices. Google has implemented a similar approach with its AI Mode, which provides proactive, personalized assistance by automatically determining the best AI capabilities for each user query. If OpenAI’s final preparations for GPT-5 proceed as planned, Copilot’s “Smart” mode is expected to become widely available to all users soon, further solidifying Microsoft’s position in the evolving AI landscape.
