Hacker News: GitHub launches a free version of its Copilot

Source URL: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/18/github-launches-a-free-version-of-its-copilot/
Source: Hacker News
Title: GitHub launches a free version of its Copilot

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AI Summary and Description: Yes

**Summary:** GitHub has launched a free version of its Copilot code completion tool, aimed at occasional developers, and it is now integrated by default into Microsoft’s popular Visual Studio Code editor. This move aligns with GitHub’s vision of broadening access to development tools, especially in regions where the cost barrier is significant.

**Detailed Description:**
– GitHub’s announcement marks a significant shift in access to AI-powered coding tools, as it offers a free version of Copilot to all developers.
– The new offering includes:
– **2,000 code completions per month limit** for users on the free plan, where each suggestion counts against this limit.
– **Access to specific models** such as Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, with paid plans including more advanced models like Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro.
– A **chat message limit** of 50 for Copilot Chat, while still providing access to all extensions and skills.
– CEO Thomas Dohmke emphasized GitHub’s trajectory towards democratizing software development by making tools accessible to a wider audience, particularly in developing countries where the relative cost of services is significant.
– The strategy appears to enhance GitHub’s competitive edge against other AI coding environments, as notable competitors already offer free plans.
– The move is oriented towards GitHub’s long-term vision of **enabling a billion developers worldwide** by removing financial barriers and making it easier for users to engage with coding.

This development is particularly relevant for professionals in the field as it not only enhances the accessibility of AI tools for coding but also potentially impacts the landscape of AI-powered development environments, influencing how teams approach software development, particularly in terms of cost and accessibility.