Microsoft's New OneDrive AI Feature: Worth the Price?

Microsoft has rolled out a new AI-powered photo restyling capability directly within OneDrive. This feature, previously accessible through the Windows Photos app, enables users to alter their images by applying templates or AI prompts to achieve styles like Renaissance paintings or anime.

The functionality is now available on OneDrive for iOS, Android, and the web. However, its deployment is tied to a Microsoft 365 Premium subscription, which costs approximately $200 annually. This pricing and the perceived limited innovation have led to criticism, with some labeling it as "Microslop" despite the absence of the "Copilot" branding.

Industry observers suggest Microsoft may have committed to this feature some time ago and is now releasing it amidst growing public skepticism towards AI integrations in Windows. The decision to omit the "Copilot" name is seen by some as a public relations tactic rather than a substantive change in strategy.