Late to this conversation, but I found this:
https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/you-don-t-have-to-pay-the-microsoft-365-price-increase
leaving it here for others like me who juts recieved the notification that the price was rising by 50%, and who also don't want to support AI
Great find, I just did this and it's dead simple to do, I would encourage everyone to do it as it may just send a message to Microsoft. Thr price increase alone was bad enough but the fact the supposed AI inclusion is limited is just dirty tactics.
By not offering the 'classic' version up front they are really sending a massive F U to their customers and I sincerely hope they cop a massive fine for misleading/deceptive behaviour. F U Microsoft!
I had built an infrastructure around the use of MS products and when this price increase cane about, I was in shock. MS is being a bully on this matter and they must be stopped.
I did eventually get the subscription by buying from an MS reseller at a much lower price, even lower than the MS direct price. Ask your MS reseller for the deal.