Microsoft Outlook Introduces Paid AI Feature: What You Need to Know
Microsoft Outlook announces a shift to paid AI features, replacing the free Meeting Insights tool with a subscription-based alternative. Learn about the changes and costs involved.
Microsoft is set to implement significant changes to Outlook, announcing that a previously free feature will soon come with a cost. This shift is part of the company's ongoing integration of artificial intelligence into its services.
The feature in question, known as "Meeting Insights," was introduced in 2020 to assist users by displaying relevant emails and documents when scheduling meetings. However, Microsoft has decided to discontinue this feature across all platforms, including the web version, mobile apps, desktop applications, and its integration with Teams.
According to Microsoft, the rollout of this update is expected to begin in mid-August 2026, with a complete transition anticipated by early September worldwide. After this update, users will no longer see the Meeting Insights feature in their applications.
To replace Meeting Insights, Microsoft will introduce a new AI-driven feature called "Prepare for this meeting." This tool utilizes the Microsoft 365 Copilot AI agent to access available documents and emails, summarizing the pertinent information during the meeting planning process.
The new AI integration aims to provide a clearer experience compared to Meeting Insights. Users previously encountered issues where suggested documents were mistakenly viewed as actual attachments, leading to concerns about accidentally sharing sensitive files with external recipients.
However, the transition to "Prepare for this meeting" comes with the downside of requiring a subscription, as this formerly free feature is now part of the AI integration. For individual users, a Microsoft 365 license costs €99 per year, while families can purchase a package for €129 per year, accommodating up to six people. Businesses will incur a fee of approximately €27 per user per month for access to Office apps and Microsoft Copilot.
