MetriNote – Google, Microsoft Expand Generative AI Access

Author: Irwin Lazar, President and Principal Analyst, Metrigy What's the news?January 15, 2025 – In separate announcements Google and Microsoft announced plans to expand the availability of generative AI tools to their respective customer base.First up is Google, which announced that Gemini for Workplace will now be included, at no additional cost, for Business and Enterprise plan customers. Previously, Gemini for Workplace required a separate purchase at a cost of either $20 or $30 per user, per month, depending on usage plan. However, Gemini Workplace isn’t entirely free, as Google is also raising the cost of the Business plan from $12 per user, per month, to $14. This news follows last September’s announcement that Google’s standalone Gemini app would be free to existing Workspace Business, Enterprise and Frontline plans.Secondly, Microsoft announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, with optional agentic AI capabilities available as a metered cost add-on. Copilot Chat provides a free conversational capability like the offerings available via ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Free features include file summarization (with limitations), image generation, and code assistance.