Overview
- This week Microsoft told reporters it is evaluating a fine-tuned DeepSeek V4 and other open-source models as a lower-cost option for parts of Copilot Cowork.
- The company has moved Copilot Cowork to usage-based billing because some enterprise users run hundreds of automated tasks weekly, which sharply raises compute costs.
- Microsoft says any DeepSeek-based choice would be optional for customers, run entirely on Azure, and include fine-tuning and added safeguards to reduce bias and improve reliability.
- Choosing a Chinese-origin model could draw U.S. government scrutiny given recent restrictions on access to advanced models and national-security concerns reported about Anthropic’s latest systems.
- The tests fit Microsoft’s broader multi-model plan that includes its own Cowork 1 model, and the company expects to announce a final lower-cost Copilot option within the next several weeks.