Microsoft has announced the integration of OpenAI’s newest model, GPT-5.1, into Microsoft Copilot Studio, marking another step forward in AI innovation within its productivity ecosystem. The rollout comes alongside OpenAI’s official release and is now available as an experimental model for U.S. customers who are part of early-release Power Platform environments.

A New Benchmark in AI Reasoning and Responsiveness

The GPT-5.1 series brings a notable upgrade in adaptability and reasoning performance. Users can expect improved response accuracy, faster contextual thinking, and smarter reasoning during interactions—enhancements designed to make AI-powered assistance feel more intuitive and human-like.

Microsoft describes GPT-5.1 as particularly adept at “thinking time” — the balance between speed and accuracy when responding to user inputs. This makes it especially valuable for developers and organizations testing real-world AI applications, from customer support bots to analytics copilots.

Early Access for Experimentation and Evaluation

As part of Microsoft’s experimental model program, GPT-5.1 allows users to test its new capabilities before it reaches general availability. This early access gives professionals the opportunity to evaluate performance, compare outputs with previous generations, and prepare for large-scale implementation.

Microsoft recommends using GPT-5.1 in non-production environments during this phase to ensure reliability and safety while internal evaluations are completed. This cautious rollout strategy allows users to explore next-generation AI performance while maintaining quality standards.

Staying Ahead with Copilot Studio

Microsoft Copilot Studio continues to serve as a hub for innovation within the Power Platform, allowing businesses to build, customize, and deploy AI copilots efficiently. The availability of GPT-5.1 reinforces Microsoft’s vision of bringing cutting-edge AI technology closer to enterprise users and developers.

For more details on how to access and experiment with GPT-5.1 in Copilot Studio, visit the official Microsoft Copilot Studio documentation.