Axios reports that Microsoft is considering a Microsoft-hosted version of DeepSeek V4 as a cheaper model option for Copilot Cowork. Microsoft says Copilot Cowork can’t work on unlimited pricing. “We have users who do hundreds of tasks a week… but the consequence is the costs can go very high,” Charles Lamanna told Axios. So Microsoft is moving Copilot Cowork to usage-based pricing, and exploring cheaper open-source model options. If Microsoft really goes with DeepSeek, it would be optional, fine-tuned, safeguarded, and hosted fully on Azure. Still: Microsoft adding a Chinese AI model to an enterprise Copilot product would be huge.