Microsoft's enterprise AI cloud, including Azure OpenAI Service, Azure AI Foundry, and Copilot infrastructure. By 2026, Azure is the default AI platform for org
Microsoft Azure AI is the enterprise AI distribution machine: Azure OpenAI service, Foundry for agent/app development, and AI woven through Microsoft 365/Copilot, the path of least resistance for Microsoft-centric enterprises adopting AI with familiar governance.
Pricing: Usage-based AI services; Copilot seats priced separately (~$30/user/month class); enterprise agreements common (published pricing, mid-2026).
Same model families, different wrapper: Azure adds enterprise identity, network isolation, and regional compliance; direct adds earliest features and simpler onboarding. Enterprises with Microsoft agreements default Azure.
Microsoft's unified AI development platform, model catalog (OpenAI and others), agent service, evaluation and safety tooling, aiming to be the enterprise AI factory floor on Azure.