Microsoft brings Anthropic’s Claude to Copilot—model choice lands in Researcher and Copilot Studio

Microsoft is taking a significant step in AI productivity integration by expanding Microsoft 365 Copilot to include Anthropic’s Claude models, starting September 24, 2025. This development allows business users to select Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1 and Claude Sonnet 4 for tasks ranging from complex research to coding architecture planning and large-scale content generation. Traditionally reliant on OpenAI models, Copilot now marks a strategic shift to a multi-model AI environment. This integration continues a broader 'slow disentangling' between Microsoft and OpenAI and builds on Microsoft's earlier agreements to integrate Anthropic into core Office applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Practically, the new model choice is accessible in two key areas. First, within the Copilot reasoning agent called Researcher, users can opt into a “Try Claude” mode and seamlessly switch between OpenAI’s latest language models and Anthropic’s Opus 4.1. Secondly, Copilot Studio introduces Claude Sonnet 4 and Opus 4.1 as selectable options for enterprise-grade agent development. This flexibility allows users to combine Anthropic, OpenAI, and Azure catalog models to tailor AI capabilities for specialized tasks. Microsoft’s official blog and coverage by Reuters confirm that toggling between models is immediately available for eligible customers. Governance and compliance considerations are integral to this rollout. Anthropic’s models are hosted outside Microsoft-managed environments and operate under Anthropic’s Terms of Service. According to The Verge, Microsoft accesses Claude via Anthropic’s API, with hosting done on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This raises important implications for organizations regarding data routing, privacy, latency, and cost due to cross-cloud operations. Administrators are empowered to gate model access through the Microsoft 365 admin center. The Researcher rollout uses the Frontier Program for opted-in tenants licensed for Copilot. Strategically, this move cements Microsoft’s diversification away from an exclusive dependence on OpenAI, as it broadens its AI ecosystem. While OpenAI maintains a more independent trajectory, Microsoft’s investment in Anthropic technology for Office applications reflects its commitment to offering model choice. Prior reporting by TechCrunch reveals Microsoft leadership believes Claude Sonnet 4 surpasses OpenAI’s models in performance areas such as presentation layout quality, and The Verge notes GitHub Copilot is prioritizing Sonnet 4 in the VS Code environment. These insights indicate AI model performance can be highly app-dependent, and providing customers with choices leads to more optimized outcomes. Within the Moroccan context, this development aligns with the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as an AI and technology hub in Africa and the MENA region. Morocco’s government has been proactive in fostering AI initiatives to accelerate digital transformation and innovation. National programs emphasize AI skills development and startup incubation, which stand to benefit from Microsoft's enhanced Copilot capabilities. Moroccan startups involved in AI-driven content creation, research, and software development can leverage the option to select tailored AI models that optimize workflows and productivity. Furthermore, Moroccan universities and research institutions focusing on AI can integrate Claude Opus 4.1’s deep reasoning capabilities into their projects, enhancing academic and industrial research processes. The deployment of Copilot Studio with multi-agent orchestration capabilities enables Moroccan developers and solution architects to build sophisticated AI-driven systems that mix models for various tasks, fostering local innovation. On the policy side, Morocco’s authorities and enterprises will need to examine governance frameworks rigorously in light of cross-cloud AI execution, especially when Anthropic’s Claude models are hosted on AWS outside Microsoft-managed environments. Data privacy, residency, and compliance with Moroccan data protection laws must be carefully managed. This multi-cloud AI approach highlights the necessity for updated Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and audit trail policies to monitor per-request AI model selections effectively. In summary, starting September 24, 2025, Microsoft 365 Copilot’s integration of Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 and Opus 4.1 in Researcher and Copilot Studio introduces a powerful option set for enterprises and developers. For Morocco, this evolution dovetails with national digital initiatives and the growing ecosystem of AI startups and research, offering new tools for productivity, innovation, and governance. This multi-model AI landscape not only reflects global trends toward AI diversification but also opens practical pathways for Morocco’s vibrant community to benefit from cutting-edge AI technology within Microsoft’s productivity stack.