Microsoft reportedly eyes E7 tier to make AI agents pay their way – like the humans they'll replace

Microsoft is reportedly planning to license AI agents like employees – and charge accordingly.

The megacorp is considering a new Microsoft 365 subscription tierinformally dubbed E7that would bundle Copilot and agent management tools as enterprises begin deploying AI agents alongside human staff.

According to Mary Jo Foley analyst at Directions on Microsoftthe proposed E7 plan would include Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent 365 – a preview service designed to manage and govern AI agents across enterprise environments – along components not currently incorporated in the Microsoft 365 E5 tier.

As AI agents function as digital workersthey need identitiesemail accountsTeams accessand policy controls – capabilities currently tied to user subscriptions. Microsoft 365 E5 plus Copilot already covers most of thisbut E7 would package those elements into a single SKU.

The Register asked Microsoft about its plans for an E7 tierbut other than acknowledging our questionsthe company has yet to comment further.

Microsoft 365 prices will increase on July 12026and the flagship E5 tier will rise from $57 to $60 per month. A year of Microsoft 365 Copilot will add another $30 every month. Adding the two together hints at what an E7 license might cost per month.

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According to reportsthe awaited license tier could be priced at $99 per month.

The figure might seem highhoweverthe licensing tier may appeal to some customers that want to avoid the administration overhead of E5 plus a selection of add-ons. It also benefits Microsoftwhich needs to protect its revenues should agentic workers multiply in the commercial world.

Foley said: "Microsoft officials have said to expect agentsas they proliferate in the enterpriseto need to be licensed in ways similar to human employees."

While agents might not need the same salaries or benefits as human workersthey certainly need licenses.

Lane SheltonDirector of Advisory Services at Directions on Microsoftsaid: "This isn't about a new licensing tier. It's about Microsoft positioning itself as the enterprise AI control plane for the emerging digital worker."

It would also ensure thateven as the nature of work evolvesMicrosoft's licensing model extends to AI-driven workforces and the greenback generation machine keeps on rolling. ®