OpenAI et Microsoft announce a modification of their strategic partnership, which has already been renegotiated several times. The amended agreement ends the exclusivity that linked OpenAI to Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. Although Microsoft remains a preferred partner and major shareholder, the evolution grants OpenAI unprecedented flexibility.
New freedoms acquired by OpenAI
The main novelty is that OpenAI can distribute its products to customers on any cloud provider. This decision opens the door to collaborations with direct competitors of Microsoft, such as Amazon or Google.
Commercial pressure was strong, given the interest in OpenAI’s AI models on Amazon Bedrock, for example. The opening responds to growing demand from companies wishing to use OpenAI technologies on their preferred platforms.
Microsoft, however, remains OpenAI’s main cloud partner, and OpenAI products will first be available on Azure, even if the exclusivity is no longer relevant.
The famous AGI clause is no longer
Another change is the removal of the AGI clause. Previously, the achievement of artificial general intelligence (AGI) would have triggered specific conditions in the contract.
OpenAI’s revenue sharing payments to Microsoft will continue through 2030, ” regardless of OpenAI’s technological advancements “, but will be subject to an undisclosed cap.
Microsoft’s license to OpenAI’s intellectual property, which runs until 2032, also becomes non-exclusive, theoretically allowing any competitor to join in and use OpenAI’s models.
The partnership with AWS behind the scenes
Although Microsoft no longer pays a commission to OpenAI, the company continues to participate in its growth as a major shareholder after investing more than $13 billion.
This reformulation is likely to ease tensions, particularly following a $50 billion deal between Amazon and OpenAI which reportedly provoked threats of legal action from Microsoft.
