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Darrin Bell Faces Child Pornography Charges

Avery Winslow
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0
Darrin Bell Faces Child Pornography Charges

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Cartoonist Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Darrin Bell, a 49-year-old freelance cartoonist, was arrested in California on Wednesday on charges that he possessed more than 100 videos of child pornography, some of which was computer-generated, according to the authorities.

Investigation and Arrest

Investigators connected Mr. Bell to an online account that had shared 134 files of child sex abuse, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The authorities served a search warrant at Mr. Bell’s home on Wednesday morning and found more child pornography videos, including some generated using artificial intelligence, the sheriff’s office said.

Charges and Bail

Mr. Bell, who was taken into custody after the search, is being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. He was charged with two felonies related to possession of child sex abuse material, according to jail records. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer, and no one responded to a call to his phone on Thursday afternoon.

Significance of the Case

This is the first time that the authorities in Sacramento County have charged someone with possession of computer-generated child sex abuse material under an amended state law that made possessing such material a criminal offense starting on January 1.

About the Accused

Mr. Bell, a freelance cartoonist, has won several awards for his work, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for his editorial cartoons, which “took on issues affecting disenfranchised communities, calling out lies, hypocrisy and fraud in the political turmoil surrounding the Trump administration,” the Pulitzer website said. He was the first Black artist to win the award for editorial cartooning.

He has been creating cartoons for newspapers since 1995, according to his website. Mr. Bell’s cartoons include “Candorville” and “Rudy Park” and are distributed by King Features Syndicate to newspapers across the country. In 2023, Mr. Bell published a graphic novel called “The Talk” about his life growing up in Los Angeles.

He is also the father of four children, according to his biography on Amazon.

Conclusion

The arrest of Darrin Bell, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, on child pornography charges is a shocking and disturbing development. The allegations against him are serious and warrant a thorough investigation and prosecution. The case highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their professional achievements or personal circumstances.

FAQs

Q: What are the charges against Darrin Bell?
A: Mr. Bell is charged with two felonies related to possession of child sex abuse material.

Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: This is the first time that the authorities in Sacramento County have charged someone with possession of computer-generated child sex abuse material under an amended state law.

Q: Has Darrin Bell been convicted of any crime before?
A: No, this is his first arrest and charge.

Q: Does Darrin Bell have a lawyer?
A: It is not clear if he has a lawyer at this time.

Q: What is Darrin Bell’s professional background?
A: Mr. Bell is a freelance cartoonist who has won several awards for his work, including a Pulitzer Prize in 2019. He has been creating cartoons for newspapers since 1995.

Mira Murati’s AI Startup Makes First Hires, Including Former OpenAI Executive

Avery Winslow
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0
Mira Murati’s AI Startup Makes First Hires, Including Former OpenAI Executive

Jonathan Lachman Leaves OpenAI to Join Mira Murati’s New AI Research Lab

High-Profile Hire

Jonathan Lachman, the former head of special projects at OpenAI, has left the organization to join a new artificial intelligence research lab founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati. According to two sources familiar with the discussions, this is the most significant hiring decision Murati has made since leaving OpenAI in September last year.

Murati’s New Venture

Murati’s startup, which is still in its early stages, has poached around 10 researchers and engineers from competitors including OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind. The company does not have a name or a firm product direction, according to two sources familiar with the company.

Background on Murati and Lachman

Mira Murati departed OpenAI less than a year after CEO Sam Altman was abruptly fired by the company’s board of directors in late 2023. In the turmoil that followed, the board briefly appointed Murati as the company’s interim CEO. This decision was a blow to Altman, who described it as "the low point" of the leadership crisis.

Return to OpenAI

After serving as interim CEO, Murati returned to her role as chief technology officer at OpenAI, working closely with Altman. In a recent podcast interview, Altman praised Murati’s leadership during the crisis, saying, "She did a great job during that weekend in a lot of chaos."

Other OpenAI Departures

Several other prominent OpenAI executives have left the organization in recent months, including OpenAI’s vice president of research, Barret Zoph, and chief research officer, Bob McGrew. Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI cofounder and chief scientist, founded Safe Superintelligence, a startup focused on AI safety, and has raised $1 billion in funding.

Conclusion

The departure of Jonathan Lachman to join Mira Murati’s new AI research lab is a significant development in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. With the departure of other high-profile executives from OpenAI, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on the organization’s future direction and goals.

FAQs

Q: What is Mira Murati’s new AI research lab focused on?
A: The lab is focused on the exploration of so-called artificial general intelligence.

Q: Who has Mira Murati poached from OpenAI and other competitors?
A: According to sources, Murati has poached around 10 researchers and engineers from OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind.

Q: What is the current status of Mira Murati’s startup?
A: The company is still in its early stages and does not have a name or a firm product direction.

Q: Why did Mira Murati leave OpenAI?
A: Murati left OpenAI to "create the time and space to do my own exploration," as stated in her goodbye letter to OpenAI employees.

Marvel Rivals

Emerson Blake
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Marvel Rivals

Invisible No More

Sink your teeth into the Fantastic Four.

Eternal night falls for Marvel Rivals, the superhero, team-based player vs. player shooter that lets players assemble an ever-evolving all-star squad of Super Heroes and Super Villains battling with unique powers across a dynamic lineup of destructible maps from the Marvel Multiverse.

The Fantastic Four will be playable in season one of the game. For Eternal Night Falls, Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic will be released in the first half of the season, followed by Human Torch and The Thing in the second. Season one will also feature three new maps, special events, and an all-new Doom Match game mode.

Head in the Clouds

The latest GeForce NOW app update is expanding cloud streaming capabilities to Apple Vision Pro spatial computers, Meta Quest 3 and 3S, and Pico 4 and 4 Ultra virtual- and mixed-reality headsets starting this week.

These newly supported devices will give members access to an extensive library of games to stream through GeForce NOW. Members can gain access by visiting play.geforcenow.com or via the Android-native client on the PICO store. The rollout will be complete on Tuesday, January 21.

Here Comes The New

SMITE 2 is now free to play and has brought a huge update to mark the start of open beta. New god Aladdin joins, along with SMITE 1 fan favorites Geb, Agni, Mulan, and Ullr — bringing the total god roster to 45. Twenty of the gods now feature Aspects — an optional spin on each god’s ability kit that opens up even more strategic options. The 3v3 mode Joust has also arrived, featuring a brand-new, Arthurian-themed map. Assault and Duel game modes are also available. Finally, the Conquest mode brings a wealth of updates to the map, features, and balance.

New Games Join the Cloud

This week, seven new titles are joining the GeForce NOW cloud:

  • Hyper Light Breaker (New release on Steam, January 14)
  • Aloft (New release on Steam, January 15)
  • Assetto Corsa EVO (New release on Steam, January 16)
  • Generation Zero (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED 2 – Turbocharged (Xbox, available on PC Game Pass)
  • SMITE 2 (Steam)
  • Voidwrought (Steam)

Conclusion

Get ready to game in a new dimension with expanded support for virtual- and mixed-reality devices. Explore the Marvel Rivals universe with the Fantastic Four, and experience the latest season of SMITE 2. Try out the new games joining the GeForce NOW cloud and discover the power of cloud gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the minimum system requirement for playing Marvel Rivals on GeForce NOW?
A: The minimum system requirements for playing Marvel Rivals on GeForce NOW are still unknown.

Q: Can I play SMITE 2 on my PC?
A: Yes, SMITE 2 is available on Steam.

Q: How do I access the new virtual- and mixed-reality devices on GeForce NOW?
A: Members can gain access by visiting play.geforcenow.com or via the Android-native client on the PICO store.

Q: What is the release date of Hyper Light Breaker on Steam?
A: January 14.

DEA to Create Special Telehealth Registration for Prescribers

Taylor Marlowe
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DEA to Create Special Telehealth Registration for Prescribers

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has released its notice of proposed rulemaking for a framework to permit medically necessary controlled substances without an in-person visit without violating the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act.

WHY IT MATTERS

The NPRM comes two months after the DEA and U.S. Health and Human Services announced they extended the pandemic-era virtual prescribing of controlled substances a third time. The most recent extension of COVID-19 flexibilities for prescribing runs through 2025.

DEA’s Goal

"DEA has determined that the best course of action to ensure patient access to care, while maintaining sufficient safeguards to prevent and detect diversion of controlled substances, is to establish and maintain a regulatory scheme," the agency said in the notice published Wednesday.

Telemedicine Prescribing Registration

To prevent patients from losing access to their telehealth-prescribed medications, the DEA is offering three types of special registration:

  • Telemedicine Prescribing Registration – authorizes qualified clinician practitioners to prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances.
  • Advanced Telemedicine Prescribing Registration – authorizes qualified specialized clinician practitioners to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances.
  • Telemedicine Platform Registration – authorizes qualified covered online telemedicine platforms – in their capacity as platform practitioners – to dispense Schedule II-V controlled substances.

Industry Reaction

Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy for the American Telemedicine Association and executive director of ATA Action, said in a letter Tuesday, "While we are still digesting the DEA’s Special Registration framework, and will have a comprehensive analysis shortly, it is clear that these updates carry significant implications for the telehealth community."

Concerns and Criticism

The Alliance for Connected Care said in a statement that it is "very concerned to see language in the proposed rulemaking mandating what portion of patient care can be offered through telemedicine" and deemed it an inappropriate guardrail.

The Larger Trend

Without a third extension before the end of 2024, the expiration of telehealth prescribing flexibilities would have required patients to have an in-person visit with a provider within 30 days or lose access to medications.

Conclusion

The DEA’s proposed rulemaking aims to provide telehealth access for needed medications while ensuring patient safety and preventing the diversion of medications into the illicit drug market. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed telehealth prescribing registry framework through March 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the proposed rulemaking?
A: The purpose is to establish a regulatory scheme to permit medically necessary controlled substances without an in-person visit without violating the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act.

Q: What are the three types of special registration offered by the DEA?
A: They are Telemedicine Prescribing Registration, Advanced Telemedicine Prescribing Registration, and Telemedicine Platform Registration.

Q: What is the deadline for commenting on the proposed telehealth prescribing registry framework?
A: The deadline is March 15.

Q: What is the goal of the DEA’s proposed rulemaking?
A: The goal is to provide telehealth access for needed medications while ensuring patient safety and preventing the diversion of medications into the illicit drug market.

Startups Still Struggle to Raise Money Despite $75B in VC Investment

Avery Winslow
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0
Startups Still Struggle to Raise Money Despite B in VC Investment

VCs Pour Capital into Startups, But Only a Few Companies Benefit

After two years of relatively muted investment activity, it seems that VCs are starting to pour capital into startups at pandemic-era levels once again. But a closer look shows that they aren’t really.

Record Investment in Q4, But with a Twist

In the fourth quarter of last year, investors funneled $74.6 billion into US startups, a substantial increase from the average of $42 billion invested in each of the previous nine quarters, according to PitchBook data released on Tuesday.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

While these funding levels were previously seen only during the peak of the ZIRP era (end of 2020 through 2021), the reality is that this recent increase in venture capital funding is disproportionately benefiting a select few companies. In fact, $32 billion, or 43.2% of Q4 investment activity, was invested in precisely a handful of colossal-sized deals:

The Megadeals

Databricks: In December, the data analytics company raised $10 billion at a $62 billion valuation.

OpenAI: The ChatGPT maker secured $6.6 billion at a $157 billion valuation in early October.

 xAI: Elon Musk’s xAI that’s developing a generative AI foundational model called Grok, which landed $6 billion from investors in December.   

Waymo: Self-driving car developer that operates robotaxi services in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix secured a $5.6 billion Series C in November led by parent company Alphabet and joined by a who’s who of Silicon Valley venture firms.

Anthropic: In November, the generative AI model developer raised $4 billion from Amazon.

The Broader Impact

Without these megadeals, Q4 investment activity would have mirrored the previous two years’ average of $42 billion. This stark concentration of venture capital investment highlights the widening gap between a few well-funded companies and the broader startup ecosystem.

The Future of Venture Capital Investment

Whether 2025 will see a continuation of the high venture capital investment levels observed in Q4 of last year remains to be seen. However, most venture capital funding will probably continue to flow towards a small cohort of the most promising AI companies.

Conclusion

The recent surge in venture capital investment may seem impressive at first glance, but a closer look reveals that it is largely driven by a handful of massive deals. This concentration of funding has significant implications for the broader startup ecosystem, highlighting the widening gap between the haves and have-nots.

FAQs

Q: What was the total amount of venture capital investment in Q4 of last year?

A: $74.6 billion

Q: How much of Q4 investment activity was concentrated in a few large deals?

A: $32 billion, or 43.2%

Q: Which companies received the largest investments in Q4?

A: Databricks, OpenAI, xAI, Waymo, and Anthropic

Q: Will the high venture capital investment levels of Q4 continue in 2025?

A: It is uncertain, but most venture capital funding is likely to continue flowing towards a small cohort of the most promising AI companies.

Image to 3D

Phil
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0
Image to 3D

Krea’s 3D to Image: A Game-Changer in AI Fun

The Most Fun I’ve Had with AI in a Long Time

I just had the pleasure of trying out Krea’s latest addition to their AI capabilities – 3D to Image – and I must say, it’s been an absolute blast! This feature is not only super cool but also super fast, making it an absolute delight to use.

What is 3D to Image?

For those who may not be familiar, 3D to Image is a feature that allows you to convert 3D models into 2D images. This may seem like a simple concept, but trust me, the results are nothing short of amazing. With Krea’s 3D to Image, you can create stunning images that are perfect for a variety of applications, from art and design to marketing and advertising.

Why is it so Fun?

So, what makes 3D to Image so much fun? For starters, the process is incredibly easy. Simply upload your 3D model, select the desired settings, and let Krea’s AI do the rest. The results are almost instantaneous, and the quality is simply stunning.

But what really sets 3D to Image apart is the level of customization available. With Krea’s feature, you can adjust everything from lighting and shading to texture and color. This level of control allows you to create images that are truly unique and tailored to your specific needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Krea’s 3D to Image is an absolute game-changer in the world of AI. It’s a feature that’s not only super cool but also super fast and incredibly easy to use. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or simply someone who loves playing with AI, 3D to Image is definitely worth checking out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is 3D to Image?
A: 3D to Image is a feature that allows you to convert 3D models into 2D images.

Q: How do I use 3D to Image?
A: Simply upload your 3D model, select the desired settings, and let Krea’s AI do the rest.

Q: What kind of images can I create with 3D to Image?
A: You can create a wide range of images, from art and design to marketing and advertising.

Q: Is 3D to Image easy to use?
A: Yes, 3D to Image is incredibly easy to use. The process is simple and straightforward, and the results are almost instantaneous.

Q: Can I customize my images with 3D to Image?
A: Yes, you can adjust everything from lighting and shading to texture and color to create images that are truly unique and tailored to your specific needs.

Insight Partners Secures $12.5B After $8B in Exits

Jordan Waverly
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Insight Partners Secures .5B After B in Exits

Insight Partners Closes $12.5 Billion Fund, Cementing Status as Top New York Venture Capital Firm

Jeff Horing’s Insight Partners is to New York venture capital what Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia are to Silicon Valley. And it’s a status that has been cemented with Insight’s latest closing.

Fund XIII and Opportunity Fund II: A Giant Leap Forward

As expected, Insight Partners announced Thursday that it closed another giant flagship fund, known as Fund XIII, along with its second Opportunity fund, collectively $12.5 billion in new capital. An opportunity fund is generally money set aside to reinvest in existing portfolio companies when they raise new rounds.

A Record-Breaking Fund

In September, it was rumored to be working on a $10 billion-plus fund. Insight clearly achieved that target, and then some. With this fund it now has $90 billion of assets under management.

Dedicated Buyout Co-Invest Fund

An Insight spokesperson declined to divulge how many billions are in each new fund but part of the money is also in what it calls a “dedicated buyout co-invest fund.” The spokesperson said this money will be used for buyout software investments, an established area for the 30-year-old firm.

Competition and Leadership

This raise signals that Insight has no intention of ceding the top dog spot to upstart New York powerhouse VC, Thrive. In 2024, Josh Kushner’s Thrive led and co-led many of the biggest deals from OpenAI’s $6.6 billion round to the $100 million Series B of Anysphere, the maker of AI coding assistant Cursor.

Insight isn’t ceding any ground. For instance, the VC firm won the co-lead of Databricks’ record-breaking $10 billion fundraising deal in December, alongside Thrive. It tapped into funds from its Partners Public Equities fund to do so, a fund set up to buy public stocks. This fresh capital will help it pursue, perhaps even lead, more deals.

Portfolio Performance

Interestingly, in a year where the locked IPO market means lagging returns for many VCs, Insight said it did well with its portfolio companies logging over $8 billion on exits in 2024, largely through acquisitions. These included Recorded Future to Mastercard for $2.65 billion, Own to Salesforce for $1.9 billion, WalkMe to SAP for $1.5 billion, and Jama Software to private equity for $1.2 billion.

Conclusion

Insight Partners’ latest fund closing solidifies its position as the top venture capital firm in New York, with a total of $90 billion in assets under management. The firm’s ability to raise capital and lead deals, even in a challenging market, demonstrates its strength and resilience.

FAQs

Q: How much did Insight Partners raise in its latest fund closing?
A: Insight Partners raised $12.5 billion in its latest fund closing, which includes its flagship Fund XIII and Opportunity Fund II.

Q: What will the dedicated buyout co-invest fund be used for?
A: The dedicated buyout co-invest fund will be used for buyout software investments, an established area for the 30-year-old firm.

Q: How much does Insight Partners have in assets under management?
A: Insight Partners now has $90 billion in assets under management.

Q: What was the outcome of Insight Partners’ portfolio companies in 2024?
A: Insight Partners’ portfolio companies logged over $8 billion on exits in 2024, largely through acquisitions.

Can Gemini Bridge the Gap to Catch ChatGPT?

Emerson Blake
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0
Can Gemini Bridge the Gap to Catch ChatGPT?

Google’s Gemini AI Struggles to Catch Up with ChatGPT

Google’s Struggle to Extend Reach

Google has been beefing up the skills and scope of its Gemini AI, though it’s still playing second, third, and even fourth fiddle to other AI bots. On Thursday, a Wall Street Journal story shared details on the popularity of Gemini AI and Google’s struggle to extend its reach.

The Best AI Chatbots of 2025

Though it’s long been the king of search and had been working on its own AI bots, Google was caught off guard by the debut of ChatGPT in late 2022. "The company has been scrambling to catch up ever since," said the Journal.

Google’s Dependence on Revenue

With its search engine, advertising income, Android market, and other areas, Google hardly depends on the revenue generated by Gemini. However, the AI arena is shaping up to be a lucrative and exciting new source of money and market share. That’s why it’s important to Google that it continue trying to better compete with other generative AI providers.

Obstacles Standing in Google’s Way

But there’s one major obstacle standing in Google’s way. OpenAI continues to dominate the AI landscape with ChatGPT. Looking at one revealing stat about subscriptions, OpenAI is currently the leader at capturing retail AI customers. ChatGPT Plus and Pro users accounted for 62.5% of all paid AI B2C sales in the US at the end of 2024, according to a January 2025 Earnest Analytics report cited by the WSJ.

Other Players in the Market

Other players also have made a dent. Midjourney at 6%, Claude maker Anthropic at 4.5%, and AI photo and video service Topaz Labs at 3.7% round out the list of the top four paid AI tools based on market share. Gemini was stuck in fifth place with a 3.1% slice of all that revenue.

Retention Rate

About 56% of Gemini subscribers kept their subscriptions alive six months after initially signing up, according to the same report. In that respect, Google outshined such rivals as Character.AI and Perplexity but was below OpenAI at 70% and Anthropic at 75%.

Google’s Advancements

Google itself hasn’t revealed how many people currently use Gemini, the WSJ said. A December 2024 report said that Gemini averaged almost 275 million monthly visits by the end of the year. Though that was up from 270 million monthly visits in August 2024 and 271 million in July 2024, it was down from 292 million in October. In contrast, ChatGPT has around 300 million weekly users, according to OpenAI.

Gemini’s Advancements

Though Gemini may be less popular than ChatGPT, the technology itself has been advancing. Last year, Google introduced Gemini Live, a way to carry on real-time conversations with the AI bot. In December, the company unveiled Deep Research, an agentic feature for Gemini Advanced designed to conduct research on your behalf.

Recent Developments

On Wednesday, Google inked a deal with the Associated Press to incorporate real-time news feeds into Gemini. And now in experimental mode is Gemini 2.0, an upgrade to the AI that promises to be faster, smarter, and more capable than the current 1.5 flavor.

CEO’s Ambitions

Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently told employees that he feels Gemini’s capabilities have surpassed those of competitors. In return, Pichai wants Gemini to be used by 500 million people by the end of 2025, sources familiar with the matter told the WSJ.

Conclusion

For now, all Google can do is continue to advance the service, maybe throw in more of its marketing savvy, and hope that more people will turn to Gemini and not ChatGPT when they need a dose of AI.

FAQs

Q: What is Google’s Gemini AI?
A: Google’s Gemini AI is a generative AI bot that can carry on real-time conversations and conduct research on behalf of users.

Q: How popular is Gemini AI compared to ChatGPT?
A: According to recent reports, ChatGPT has around 300 million weekly users, while Gemini AI has around 275 million monthly visits.

Q: What are the main obstacles standing in Google’s way?
A: The main obstacle is OpenAI’s dominance in the AI landscape with ChatGPT, as well as the popularity of other AI tools such as Midjourney and Claude maker Anthropic.

Q: What are Google’s plans for Gemini AI?
A: Google plans to continue advancing the service, with the goal of having 500 million users by the end of 2025.

Open-Source Code Snippet Collection

Parker Lennox
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0
Open-Source Code Snippet Collection

Why SnipNest?

The idea for SnipNest came from my own frustrations. As a developer, I often need quick solutions to problems I’ve solved a dozen times before. While there are plenty of resources out there, I didn’t find one that would fit my preference. I wanted a structured, easy-to-use, and searchable collection of snippets. That’s how SnipNest was born.

The Journey So Far

Building this project has been a challenge. I explored multiple storage options (e.g., databases, JSON, etc.) and landed on using MDX files. Each snippet is stored as a file containing metadata (name, description, keywords, and contributors) alongside the actual code of the snippet with an example of how to use it. This makes it straightforward to contribute while keeping the content well-organized. Though later I might explore using plain markdown files.

A big part of the experience was working with Next.js. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I could spin up a prototype. It’s been my go-to React framework, and using it for SnipNest confirmed that Next.js is still my favorite. I came across little to no issues during development.

How You Can Help

I can’t do this alone! There are countless snippets out there, and I need your help to make SnipNest grow in useful code.

If you’ve written a useful snippet before — utility, helper function, or anything you think may help others — consider contributing. Your snippets could save someone hours of debugging and searching.

Get Involved

A Big Thank You

To everyone who has inspired or supported me to make this idea come to life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

— Bruno

FAQs

  • Q: What is SnipNest?
    A: SnipNest is a platform for sharing code snippets.
  • Q: How do I contribute to SnipNest?
    A: You can contribute by forking the repository, adding your snippet, and submitting a pull request.
  • Q: What is the current status of SnipNest?
    A: SnipNest is currently in development, and I’m looking for contributors to help grow the collection of snippets.

Microsoft Raises Prices for Microsoft 365 with Office AI Features

Avery Winslow
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0
Microsoft Raises Prices for Microsoft 365 with Office AI Features

Microsoft Bundles AI-Powered Office Features into Microsoft 365 Subscriptions

Microsoft has decided to bundle its AI-powered Office features, Copilot Pro, into Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscriptions, but with a price increase.

Bundling Copilot Pro

Previously, Copilot Pro was a separate subscription that cost $20 per month and offered additional AI features inside Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. However, Microsoft is now integrating these AI features into the Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscriptions for an additional $3 per month. Existing subscribers can opt out of the AI features and not suffer the price increase, though.

New Plans for Existing Subscribers

For existing Microsoft 365 subscribers, Microsoft has introduced two new plans: Personal Classic and Family Classic. These plans will only be available to existing subscribers and will not get the new AI features. However, they will still receive security updates and minor feature updates. These plans will only be available for the next year, after which they will no longer be an option.

Microsoft is also introducing a new AI credits system that will be available across most of its AI-powered consumer experiences. With this system, users will have a monthly allotment of credits to use on things like image generation in the Designer app or in apps on Windows like Paint, Photos, and Notepad. Copilot Pro users will have unlimited usage of all of these AI features, based on a fair usage policy.

Easy Turn Off Option

Microsoft is also making it easy for users to turn off Copilot in Office apps if they don’t want to use the AI assistant or have restrictions from their school or work environment. Users can toggle off Copilot in the settings menu.

Rationale Behind the Change

In an interview, Gareth Oystryk, senior director of marketing for Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365, explained that the company wanted to bring the value of AI features to more subscribers. He emphasized that power users who want priority access to the latest AI models and early access to new AI features can still opt for the Copilot Pro subscription, which will not change in pricing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft is bundling its AI-powered Office features into Microsoft 365 Personal and Home subscriptions, with a price increase of $3 per month. Existing subscribers can opt out of the AI features and remain on their current pricing plan. Microsoft is also introducing a new AI credits system and making it easy for users to turn off Copilot in Office apps if needed.

FAQs

Q: Will existing subscribers get the new AI features?
A: Yes, existing subscribers can get the new AI features, but they will have to opt-in and pay an additional $3 per month.

Q: Will Copilot Pro still be available?
A: Yes, Copilot Pro will still be available for power users who want priority access to the latest AI models and early access to new AI features.

Q: What about the classic plans?
A: The classic plans will no longer be an option after one year, but existing subscribers will be able to switch to the new plans if they want the AI features.

Q: How does the AI credits system work?
A: With the AI credits system, users will have a monthly allotment of credits to use on various AI-powered experiences. Copilot Pro users will have unlimited usage of these features, based on a fair usage policy.

Q: Can I turn off Copilot?
A: Yes, users can easily turn off Copilot in Office apps by going to the settings menu.

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