Whilst others drop models, MS drop Opus and Codex pricing to $0 (github.com)

Microsoft has introduced a loophole in its AI tools Copilot, enabling users to access premium AI models like Opus 4.5 at no cost. By leveraging subagents and tool calls that do not incur charges, users can initiate a chat using a "free" model such as GPT-5 Mini and create a subagent set to a premium model. This allows for extensive use of advanced capabilities without the associated costs typically incurred for premium requests, effectively transforming the pricing structure for accessing high-performing AI models. This development is significant for the AI/ML community as it raises concerns over resource utilization and pricing models for AI services. The ability to orchestrate premium AI functions through a free interface could lead to unintended abuses, such as running extensive processes at minimal cost, which challenges traditional billing practices. Developers are urged to be mindful of these loopholes, while Microsoft faces pressure to address pricing integrity in its API framework. The incident highlights the ongoing conversation about ethical AI usage and the implications of accessibility on resource management in machine learning environments.