Bloomberg earlier this week reported Microsoft replaced some of its OpenAI software with its own in-house models to cut costs. These internal models, known as MAIs, were used to power programs such as Word and Excel.
The story raised an increasingly common question about the two companies, which once seemed inseparable and recently shipped out. mixed signals about their situation: Were the two companies drifting apart?
Now OpenAI is trying to stop any suggestion of such a break. during Launch of OpenAI’s GPT 5.6 on Thursday, the company announced that it will be the “preferred model” that powers Microsoft’s 365 Copilot.
OpenAI made a related note blog post GPT 5.6 will support Microsoft users across the company’s suite of productivity applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Cowork.
“Our partnership with Microsoft has always been about bringing the benefits of advanced AI to more individuals and organizations, and we are excited to continue this shared commitment,” OpenAI wrote.
Being the “preferred model” isn’t really clear, except that OpenAI’s software will continue to power Microsoft’s applications.
However, it’s never been said that ChatGPT’s software will stop powering Microsoft’s apps—it’s just that Microsoft is relying more and more on its own software to keep costs down. The new “preferred model” announcement does not negate the previous report.
