MAI

Microsoft AI released MAI-Transcribe-2-Streaming, a real-time transcription model covering 60 languages with first partial results in just over 100 milliseconds. It also launched two text-to-speech models, MAI-Voice-2.1 and MAI-Voice-2.1-Flash, aimed at voice agents.

OpenAI has designated its newly launched GPT-5.6 as the 'preferred model' for Microsoft 365 Copilot, powering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Cowork. The announcement comes days after Bloomberg reported Microsoft is increasingly deploying its in-house MAI models to reduce reliance on OpenAI and cut costs.