GitHub Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered coding assistant, is rolling out changes that may impact how users access advanced AI models. The platform is introducing a new “premium requests” system, which sets usage limits for high-performance AI models beyond the standard offering.
Starting in May, GitHub Copilot will implement tiered access to its more advanced AI models, such as Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, while maintaining unlimited access to the base model (OpenAI’s GPT-4o) for standard tasks.
New Usage Limits and Pricing
- Copilot Pro ($20/month): 300 premium requests per month
- Copilot Business: 300 premium requests per month
- Copilot Enterprise: 1,000 premium requests per month
Users who exceed these limits can purchase additional requests at 0.04eachorupgradeto∗∗Copilot Pro+∗∗,anewtierpricedat39/month. This plan includes 1,500 premium requests and access to top-tier models like OpenAI’s GPT-4.5.
Why the Change?
The shift reflects the higher computational costs associated with advanced AI models. More sophisticated systems, such as Claude 3.7 Sonnet, require additional processing power for tasks like multi-file analysis and fact-checking, leading to increased operational expenses.
Despite these adjustments, GitHub Copilot remains a key revenue driver for Microsoft. CEO Satya Nadella noted last year that Copilot contributed significantly to GitHub’s growth, surpassing the platform’s entire revenue at the time of Microsoft’s acquisition.
This update follows broader industry trends, as other AI coding tools, like Devin, have also recently adjusted their pricing structures.
