Microsoft no longer has exclusivity OpenAI. Microsoft will be the main cloud partner for OpenAI after the change to the agreement between the two companies, but OpenAI can work with other companies if Microsoft is “unable or unwilling to support the necessary capabilities” of OpenAI.
Microsoft will continue to license OpenAI models until 2032, but the license is now non-exclusive.
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- Microsoft remains OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, and OpenAI products will ship first on Azure unless Microsoft can and will not support the necessary capabilities. OpenAI can now make all of its products available to customers on any cloud provider.
- Microsoft will continue to license OpenAI IP for models and products until 2032. Microsoft’s license will now be non-exclusive.
- Microsoft will no longer pay a revenue share to OpenAI.
- OpenAI’s revenue share payments to Microsoft continue through 2030 at the same percentage, but subject to an overall cap, regardless of OpenAI’s technology progress.
- Microsoft continues to be directly involved in the growth of OpenAI as a major shareholder.
Microsoft shared a nearly identical statement on their website.
OpenAI refers to the changed partnership as a simplification, though I suspect analysts will see things differently. Microsoft and OpenAI have a rocky relationship that has become less and less exclusive over time.
Microsoft was a key factor in the initial growth of OpenAI, contributing funding and computing power. OpenAI has also benefited from the support of one of the biggest tech companies on the planet.
Sam AltmanThe co-founder and CEO of OpenAI has Microsoft to thank for his current position. CEO of Microsoft Satya Nadella reported He is enraged when he is blinded by Altman’s fire In November 2023. This interesting saga ended with Microsoft taking a non-voting seat on the OpenAI board and Altman returning as CEO.
we have renewed our partnership with microsoft.microsoft will remain our primary cloud partner, but we are now able to make our products and services available across all clouds. We will continue to provide them with models and products until 2032, as well as…April 27, 2026
Gray clouds have been hanging over Microsoft and OpenAI’s partnership for years. In March, it was reported that Microsoft Considering legal action against OpenAI Because of Amazon’s $50 billion deal with OpenAI.
OpenAI’s statement didn’t mention this potential legal action, but given that the renewed partnership specifically mentions exclusivity, there’s a chance OpenAI and Microsoft can patch things up.
OpenAI’s leaked memo
The timing of this announcement is interesting. At the end of last week A Memo leaked by OpenAI chief revenue officer Denise Dresser said OpenAI’s collaboration with Microsoft “lays the foundation for our success.” But he added that the same partnership “has also limited our ability to meet the businesses where they are.”
The note also said that OpenAI’s demand from customers has been “frankly staggering” since OpenAI’s $50 billion deal with Amazon in February.
Microsoft and OpenAI have a rocky relationship for a while. Both work together and compete, creating a unique dynamic.
There’s Sam Altman of OpenAI He complained about Microsoft’s ability to meet his cloud computing needsalthough OpenAI has sorted out its computing needs.
Despite the tension, Microsoft and OpenAI reached an agreement in October 2025 covering Microsoft’s IP rights and exclusivity with OpenAI. But that agreement has since changed and evolved into its current OpenAI form, detailed today.
Microsoft is also working on its own models that could potentially free the tech giant moat OpenAI.
For now, Microsoft and OpenAI will continue to work together. The statements made by the companies say that “the work we do together remains ambitious.”
Given that Microsoft and OpenAI have changed their partnership before, and conflicts persist in several areas, more changes are likely in the future.
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