At its Build 2026 conference, held from June 2nd to 4th, Microsoft made an announcement that went somewhat unnoticed by the general public but directly impacts businesses: the company unveiled its own family of artificial intelligence models, called MAI (for Microsoft AI). Until now, almost all of Microsoft's AI, from the Copilot assistant in Word to GitHub Copilot for developers, relied on models from OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.

With MAI, Microsoft is starting to build and use its own digital brains. For a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Trois-Rivières, the Mauricie region, or Quebec City that already pays for Microsoft 365 or Copilot, this shift raises a very simple question: will my tools change, and do I need to do anything about it? We'll explain the essentials, without the jargon.

1. What Microsoft announced at Build 2026

For years, Microsoft relied on OpenAI to power its intelligent tools. At Build 2026, the message shifted: the company now wants to build a significant portion of its AI itself. It therefore unveiled a family of MAI models, each specialized for a specific task. According to information shared on stage and reported by the specialized media, these include:

• A reasoning model (presented under the name MAI-Reason, or MAI-Thinking depending on the source) for analysis, problem solving and the famous "agents" that execute actions by themselves.
• A code template (MAI-Code) to assist developers, intended to feed GitHub Copilot.
• Image, transcription and voice templates to generate visuals, transcribe meetings and read texts aloud.

A key point: according to Microsoft, its reasoning model was trained without using OpenAI's data. In other words, Microsoft is no longer simply leasing AI from a partner; it is developing its own approach from scratch.

2. Why Microsoft manufactures its own models

Since 2023, Microsoft and OpenAI have been the most visible partnership in the AI ​​industry. But relying on a single vendor for such a strategic technology carries risks: price increases, shifting priorities, or simply the lack of control over one's own development process. By developing MAI, Microsoft aims to regain control over three concrete areas.

• The cost: paying an external partner for each AI request ends up being expensive at scale. Having its own models allows Microsoft to better control the bill, which could potentially be reflected in subscription prices.
• Privacy: By keeping the technology in-house, Microsoft promises better control over the path your data takes, an important argument for companies subject to strict rules (think of Bill 25 in Quebec).
• Integration: By controlling the engine, Microsoft can tailor it more precisely to Windows, Microsoft 365, and Azure, without depending on a third party's schedule.

This isn't an overnight break with OpenAI. Several sources indicate a gradual transition, with a period where the two technologies coexist under the hood. Microsoft, in fact, remains an investor in OpenAI.

3. What this means in concrete terms for your SME

If your company already uses Microsoft 365, Copilot, or Windows 11, here's what to expect. Note that the dates below are indicative only: deployment schedules often change, and you should always confirm information through official Microsoft channels.

• Microsoft 365 Copilot: According to Microsoft, the new reasoning model will begin rolling out to enterprise customers as early as summer 2026 in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The familiar Copilot button will remain the same, but the engine behind it may be a MAI model rather than an OpenAI model.
• GitHub Copilot: For software development teams, the MAI code model is beginning to be integrated, with a phase where it coexists with existing technology. Developers in the region using this tool will see the transition happen gradually.
• Windows 11: Some AI features (image generation, transcription, speech synthesis) are starting to appear in tools like Paint and Narrator, initially for users of the Windows Insider program.

For most SMEs, the change will be largely invisible at first: same interface, same shortcuts, but a different engine running in the background. That's precisely why it's worth being aware of the change, rather than discovering it later. If you want to get the most out of Copilot without getting bogged down in the technical details, our managed IT services are here to help.

4. Should we be worried? Privacy, quality and continuity

Changing your engine raises legitimate questions. Here's how to look at things calmly, without panicking or dismissing everything out of hand.

• Privacy: In theory, keeping AI in-house gives Microsoft more control over your data. In practice, it doesn't change your responsibility: you still need to know what information your employees are entering into Copilot and configure the appropriate privacy settings.
• Quality of results: a new model may give slightly different answers. During the transition, make it a habit to review and validate what the AI ​​produces, especially for important documents or figures.
• Continuity: there's no need to act hastily. Your tools continue to function. The wisest course of action is to stay informed and plan, not to disrupt everything overnight.

5. How to prepare your SME for the AI ​​revolution

Whether you already use Copilot or are still hesitating, a few simple steps put you in a good position for the coming months.

• Take stock of your AI tools: who uses Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini or others in your company, and for what purpose? You can only properly protect what you know.
• Clarify your data rules: write down in black and white what information can pass into an AI tool and what must remain confidential (customer information, financial data, personal files).
• Train your team: two or three well-understood best practices are better than a ten-page policy that no one reads.
• Keep a plan B: never rely on a critical process for a single tool. Technological transitions, like that of MAI, remind us that we must always be able to continue working if a service changes.

At OKTO Solutions, we support SMEs in Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, and Quebec City in making these decisions, without using jargon or fear-mongering. Our goal: to make technology work for you, not the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Microsoft's MAI models?

MAI (Microsoft AI) is the family of artificial intelligence models that Microsoft develops internally, unveiled at the Build 2026 conference. It includes several specialized models (reasoning, code, image, transcription, voice) intended to power Copilot, Windows and other products.

Will Copilot stop using OpenAI technology?

Not immediately at all. Microsoft is planning a gradual transition where its own MAI models and OpenAI technology coexist for a period of time. The goal is to reduce reliance on a single vendor, not to sever ties abruptly.

Do I need to change anything in my small business now?

No, there's no rush. Your Microsoft 365 and Copilot tools continue to function normally. The best approach is to stay informed, maintain good data management habits, and validate AI results, especially for important documents.

Stay ahead of technological changes

Microsoft's shift to its own MAI models demonstrates one thing: the world of AI is evolving rapidly, and the tools you use every day can change dramatically without warning. You don't need to keep up with everything yourself. Explore our IT services for SMEs or contact the OKTO Solutions team to easily review your Copilot and AI usage.