Microsoft is strategically shifting its AI focus, introducing an ‘auto model selection’ feature in Visual Studio Code that defaults to Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 for paid GitHub Copilot users. It aligns with a broader strategy to integrate Anthropic’s AI into other products like Microsoft 365, diversifying its AI portfolio and reducing its dependency on a single provider. Copilot’s ‘Auto’ Mode Puts Anthropic FirstThe new “auto” feature in VS Code is designed to pick the best model for “optimal performance,” selecting from a pool that includes Claude Sonnet 4, GPT-5, and GPT-5 mini. According to reports, internal tests found that some of Anthropic’s models outperformed OpenAI in specific tasks within Excel and PowerPoint. This foundational work makes the integration of Claude Sonnet 4 into its flagship products not a sudden pivot, but a logical and strategic next step.