Microsoft was once the exclusive provider of data center infrastructure for OpenAI to train and run its AI models. no longer.
Coinciding with the announcement of Stargate, OpenAI’s massive new AI infrastructure deal with SoftBank, Oracle and others, Microsoft has signed a new deal with OpenAI that gives it “first-hand rights” to new OpenAI cloud computing power. announced that it would give. This means Microsoft will now have first choice on whether to host OpenAI’s AI workloads in the cloud. However, if Microsoft cannot meet its needs, OpenAI may move to a competing cloud provider.
“OpenAI recently signed a major new Azure commitment that will continue support for all OpenAI products and training,” Microsoft said in a blog post. “To further support OpenAI, Microsoft has authorized OpenAI’s ability to build additional capabilities primarily for model research and training.”
OpenAI claims that the delays in its products are due to a lack of available computing power, which is due to a lack of computing power between the AI company and Microsoft, its close collaborator and major investor. It is said to be a source of tension. In June, under pressure from shareholders, Microsoft allowed OpenAI to enter into a deal with Oracle for additional capacity.
Microsoft reiterated in the post that “key elements” of its long-standing partnership with OpenAI will remain in place through 2030, including access to OpenAI’s IP, revenue-sharing arrangements, and exclusivity over OpenAI’s APIs. Ta.
Of course, this assumes that OpenAI does not achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) based on the definition agreed upon by both companies by then. According to a reported agreement between the two companies, Microsoft will lose access to OpenAI’s technology if it develops an AI system that generates at least $100 billion in profits.
OpenAI is said to be considering voiding the deal in order to seek more funding from Microsoft.
“The OpenAI API is exclusive to Azure, runs on Azure, and is also available through the Azure OpenAI service,” the blog post says. “This agreement means our customers will benefit from access to leading models on the Microsoft platform directly from OpenAI.”
We have reached out to OpenAI and Microsoft for more information and will update this post if we hear back.