Microsoft Commits to OpenAI’s Plugin Standard for ChatGPT and Copilot Offerings

• Microsoft adopts OpenAI’s open plugin standard for ChatGPT, enabling interoperability across ChatGPT and various Microsoft offerings including Bing, Dynamics 365 Copilot, and Microsoft 365 Copilot. This means developers can build plugins across one platform, enhancing the user experience.
• Bing is being incorporated as the default search experience in ChatGPT, providing a world-class search engine for more accurate, timely answers. Microsoft 365 Copilot is also open to integration with other apps and services through plugins, allowing developers to leverage their existing investments.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 23, 2023 — In a significant move towards enhancing interoperability, Microsoft has announced its adoption of OpenAI’s open plugin standard for ChatGPT, facilitating cross-functionality with Microsoft’s copilot range.

This adoption allows developers to use one platform to build plugins that function across multiple consumer and business platforms, including ChatGPT, Bing, Dynamics 365 Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

“If you aim to develop and implement your own plugins with your AI application developed on Azure OpenAI Service, it will inherently be compatible with this plugin standard,” Microsoft announced in a press release. This implies that developers can create experiences that allow users to interact with their apps using the most intuitive interface: human language.

Bing is also expanding its support for plugins as part of this shared platform. In addition to already announced plugins for OpenTable and Wolfram Alpha, additional plugins are to be introduced for Expedia, Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, Redfin, Zillow, and many others within the Bing ecosystem.

Another notable announcement is the incorporation of Bing into ChatGPT as the default search experience, enabling a more accurate and timely answering system backed by a world-class search engine and web data. This update, which includes references for users seeking to learn more, will first be made available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, with access coming soon for free users via plugin activation.

Microsoft is also paving the way for developers to integrate their apps and services into Microsoft 365 Copilot via plugins. The Microsoft 365 Copilot will include plugins such as ChatGPT and Bing, Teams message extensions, and Power Platform connectors.

Developers will be empowered to easily create new plugins for Microsoft 365 Copilot with the Microsoft Teams Toolkit for Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio, while also being able to extend Microsoft 365 Copilot by integrating their data into the Microsoft Graph.

As part of the early access program, more than 50 plugins from partners, including Atlassian, Adobe, ServiceNow, Thomson Reuters, Moveworks and Mural, will be made available, with thousands more expected by the general availability of Microsoft 365 Copilot.