"Microsoft is rolling out GPT-5.2 as Smart Plus mode in Copilot, bringing stronger reasoning, better coding help, and deeper document understanding to everyday users and businesses."
Microsoft is taking another big step in workplace and consumer AI. The company has started rolling out GPT-5.2 as a new Smart Plus mode inside Microsoft Copilot. This upgrade is coming to Copilot on the web, Windows, and mobile, with deeper integration across Microsoft 365 for enterprise users.
In simple terms, Smart Plus brings OpenAI latest GPT-5.2 Thinking model into Copilot, making it much better at complex tasks like analysis, coding, and working with long documents. For many users, this upgrade arrives at no extra cost.
What is Smart Plus mode in Microsoft Copilot?
Smart Plus is a new Copilot mode that sits alongside existing options like Smart or GPT-5.1. Under the hood, it runs on GPT-5.2 Thinking, which is designed for deeper reasoning and multi-step problem solving.
You will see Smart Plus as a selectable option in Copilot, depending on your region and rollout stage. Microsoft is positioning it as the go-to mode for harder tasks, while lighter questions can still use faster models.
Why did Microsoft add another mode?
As AI tools mature, one size no longer fits all. Some tasks need speed, while others need careful reasoning. Smart Plus focuses on quality and accuracy, especially for professional and knowledge work.
How much better is GPT-5.2 really?
According to benchmark data shared by OpenAI and independent analysts, GPT-5.2 shows a major jump over GPT-5.1 in real-world tasks.
| Benchmark | GPT-5.2 Score |
|---|---|
| SWE-Bench Verified (coding) | 80% |
| AIME 2025 (math) | 100% |
| GPQA Diamond (science) | 92-93% |
One standout stat is that GPT-5.2 matches or beats human professionals about 70.9% of the time across dozens of knowledge work roles. That is a huge leap compared to earlier models.
GPT-5.2 is designed to think longer, handle bigger inputs, and reduce hallucinations compared to GPT-5.1.
What can you do with Smart Plus in daily Copilot use?
For everyday users, the improvements show up in very practical ways. Smart Plus helps Copilot handle longer and more complex requests without falling apart.
- Create and refine PowerPoint presentations from rough notes
- Summarize long email threads and PDFs into clear action points
- Write, debug, and refactor code with better explanations
- Generate structured spreadsheets and reports
- Work with images and mixed content more accurately
Another big win is context length. GPT-5.2 can work with very large documents and codebases, which is useful for developers and analysts.
GPT-5.2 inside Microsoft 365 Copilot
For businesses, GPT-5.2 is rolling out inside Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot Studio. Licensed users can pick GPT-5.2 from the model selector as the rollout continues into early 2026.
Here, GPT-5.2 connects with Microsoft Work IQ, allowing it to reason across:
- Emails and calendars
- Teams chats and meetings
- Documents and internal knowledge bases
This makes Copilot more useful for market research, planning, and internal discovery instead of just simple drafting.
Different GPT-5.2 variants explained
GPT-5.2 is not a single model. It comes in multiple variants optimized for different needs.
- Instant: Fast responses for lightweight queries
- Thinking: Deep reasoning and multi-step tasks
- Pro: Maximum accuracy for the hardest questions
Smart Plus mainly uses the Thinking variant, which balances depth and usability.
How does this compare to Gemini and Claude?
The rollout of GPT-5.2 came soon after Google Gemini 3 updates. On several math and science benchmarks, GPT-5.2 ties or outperforms Gemini 3 Pro and Claude Opus 4.5.
For Microsoft, this keeps Copilot competitive as users compare AI tools more closely in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smart Plus free in Microsoft Copilot?
For most regular Copilot users, Smart Plus is rolling out as a free upgrade. Enterprise access depends on Microsoft 365 licensing.
Do I need to switch modes manually?
Yes. Smart Plus appears as a selectable option in Copilot, allowing you to choose it when you need deeper reasoning.
Is GPT-5.2 safer and more accurate?
Microsoft and OpenAI say GPT-5.2 reduces hallucinations and improves factual accuracy, especially on long and complex tasks.
Final thoughts
With GPT-5.2 Smart Plus, Microsoft Copilot becomes more than a simple assistant. It moves closer to a true AI coworker that can handle real professional workloads. As rollout continues, this upgrade could change how people use Copilot day to day.
