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GPT-5.1 Now Available in Microsoft Copilot Studio as Experimental Model
Microsoft has released GPT-5.1 in Microsoft Copilot Studio, providing U.S. customers in early release cycle Power Platform environments with access to the newest experimental model. The announcement aligns with OpenAI's release and gives organizations an opportunity to evaluate updated chat and reasoning capabilities in controlled scenarios.
This news comes on the same day, Nov. 12, that OpenAI
announced the release of GPT-5.1--its latest model in the GPT-5 series--making it available initially to paid ChatGPT and API users and starting a broader rollout to free users. The update introduces two variants (GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking) and brings adaptive reasoning, faster performance, configurable reasoning effort (including a “none” mode), and enhanced tone/personalisation options across ChatGPT and the API.
Microsoft Copilot Studio is a platform for "discovering, customizing, and building enterprise-ready AI agents and agentic workflows." It is is designed to enhance employee productivity by handling long-form tasks or operating autonomously. The platform provides a unified environment for building, orchestrating, and overseeing AI agents, making it a central tool for organizations adopting Microsoft's agentic AI framework.
Microsoft positions Copilot Studio primarily for IT professionals and business application creators responsible for managing organizational workflows, along with developers. The platform is part of the Power Platform ecosystem and is designed for low-code solution builders who oversee data connections, governance, and process automation. Professional developers also participate in extending Copilot Studio agents through custom connectors, APIs, and integration logic.
"Today, we are making GPT-5.1 available in Microsoft Copilot Studio, alongside OpenAI's release," the company said in a Nov. 12 blog post. "This is available as an experimental model for U.S. customers in early release cycle Power Platform environments." The company states that the GPT-5.1 series "brings improved adaptability in thinking time in both chat and reasoning."
[Click on image for larger view.] Microsoft Copilot Studio GPT-5.1 Model Selection (source: Microsoft).
As shown in the graphic above, the update appears in the model selection interface inside Copilot Studio, where GPT-5.1 Chat is labeled as "experimental." The interface lists multiple model options, including GPT-4.1 and GPT-5, with GPT-5.1 available for users evaluating early-stage capabilities.
Microsoft emphasized the intended use of experimental models, noting that "Experimental models give you the opportunity to test cutting-edge capabilities before they reach general availability." Microsoft explains that customers can "evaluate performance against your use cases and existing models to prepare for deployment" but advises that "we recommend using them in non-production scenarios while we complete our evaluation gates."
Microsoft said this approach enables organizations to "stay ahead of the curve, experimenting with the latest AI models while we ensure they meet quality standards." The announcement directs readers to additional guidance on using the latest available models within Copilot Studio.
About the Author
David Ramel is an editor and writer at Converge 360.