Microsoft is now testing its first homegrown AI models, MAI-1-preview and MAI-Voice-1, built to enhance Copilot and redefine its AI future.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Microsoft AI has launched its first in-house models, MAI-1-preview and MAI-Voice-1
- MAI-Voice-1 delivers fast and expressive speech generation, powering Copilot Daily and Podcasts
- MAI-1-preview is a foundation model now in public testing on the LMArena platform
- The move signals Microsoft’s push to reduce reliance on OpenAI and expand its own AI capabilities
What Happened?
Microsoft AI officially introduced two in-house artificial intelligence models, MAI-1-preview and MAI-Voice-1, showcasing them as foundational pieces for the future of its AI-powered services. The models are now live in early-stage testing and some are already integrated into products like Copilot Daily and Podcasts.
Excited to share our first @MicrosoftAI in-house models: MAI-Voice-1 and MAI-1-preview. Details and how you can test below, with lots more to come⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LtL2YmzuTv
— Mustafa Suleyman (@mustafasuleyman) August 28, 2025
Microsoft’s First In-House Models
For the first time, Microsoft is stepping into the spotlight with AI models built entirely within its own AI division, Microsoft AI (MAI). This marks a notable shift from its previous heavy dependence on OpenAI models.
MAI-1-preview, Microsoft’s first foundation model, is a mixture-of-experts architecture trained on roughly 15,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs. The model is designed for text-based use cases like following instructions and answering user queries. It is now in public testing on the benchmarking platform LMArena.
MAI-Voice-1, on the other hand, is a speech generation model that can produce a full minute of expressive audio in under a second using just one GPU. It supports both single and multi-speaker conversations.
Where You Can Try Them?
MAI-Voice-1 is already in action within Copilot Daily and Podcasts, delivering AI-generated news and discussions. Users can also interact with it directly via Copilot Labs, which offers customization in voice and tone. It’s ideal for storytelling, guided meditations, and interactive experiences like choose your own adventure prompts.
🚨Text Leaderboard Update:
— lmarena.ai (@lmarena_ai) August 28, 2025
A new model provider, @MicrosoftAI has broken into the Top 15 this week!
💠MAI-1-preview by @MicrosoftAI debuts at #13.
Congrats to the Microsoft AI team! As the Text Arena is one of the most competitive races, breaking into the Top 15 is no small… https://t.co/4aAOtWWxjj pic.twitter.com/y2q3nHnLlz
MAI-1-preview is being tested on LMArena, and Microsoft is collecting feedback through trusted testers and early adopters. The company is preparing to roll it out for specific Copilot text features in the coming weeks.
Strategic Shift Away from OpenAI?
While Microsoft continues to collaborate with OpenAI and leverages its models in many current products like Bing and Windows 11, this move reflects a potential long-term shift. Reports suggest Microsoft may be working to diversify its AI infrastructure, especially as OpenAI itself expands partnerships with other cloud providers such as Google, CoreWeave, and Oracle.
In fact, Microsoft has already listed OpenAI as a competitor in its recent annual report, hinting at the evolving dynamics between the two.
Microsoft AI’s Vision for the Future
Microsoft AI says these new models are part of a broader mission to create responsible, reliable, and human-centric AI companions. The team believes voice is the future interface for AI and is committed to delivering tools that are supportive, expressive, and tailored to individual needs.
The company also hinted at the operational readiness of its next-gen GB200 compute cluster, showing it’s gearing up for even more powerful model development. Microsoft wants to orchestrate a diverse ecosystem of specialized models that can handle a wide range of user tasks with greater precision and personalization.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I think this is Microsoft signaling it’s ready to play in the big leagues of AI, not just as a partner of OpenAI but as a serious builder in its own right. MAI-Voice-1 sounds slick, and honestly, the speed and flexibility it brings could reshape how we interact with AI day to day. But MAI-1-preview is the real game changer. If Microsoft nails this model, we might soon see a world where Copilot relies less on OpenAI and more on its own tech stack. That’s a major power move.
