OpenAI's new GPT-5.6 model now serves as the preferred AI engine for Microsoft 365 Copilot, integrating advanced capabilities into everyday productivity applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Cowork.

This upgrade promises users more efficient and higher-quality work output. In Word, GPT-5.6 facilitates drafting and editing with fewer iterative prompts. Excel users can expect deeper data analysis and quicker insights due to more token-efficient processing. PowerPoint gains enhanced capabilities for transforming initial concepts into polished presentations with less manual input. The Cowork application will assist with complex, cross-functional tasks, yielding better results with reduced coordination.

Microsoft will access GPT-5.6 through the OpenAI API, ensuring users benefit from the latest AI advancements directly within their familiar workflows. This move signifies a deeper integration of OpenAI's flagship models into enterprise productivity tools, aiming to increase the value derived from AI assistance across millions of daily users.