OpenAI Revises Microsoft Partnership, Gains Multi-Cloud Flexibility

OpenAI has amended its agreement with Microsoft Corporation, ending the software giant's exclusive access to OpenAI's models and products. The updated contract allows OpenAI to offer its services across any cloud provider while retaining Microsoft as its primary cloud partner, announced on OpenAI’s website.

Under the revised terms, Microsoft keeps a nonexclusive license to OpenAI’s intellectual property through 2032. OpenAI will continue to share revenue with Microsoft until 2030, though those payments are now capped. Microsoft, however, will no longer pay a revenue share to OpenAI. The new structure provides both companies with greater flexibility and a defined timeline for their collaboration.

The change resolves earlier legal tensions related to OpenAI’s up to 50 billion dollar partnership with Amazon. That deal included exclusive technology development on AWS Bedrock, which previously conflicted with Microsoft's contract. The new agreement eliminates Microsoft’s exclusive rights and clears the path for OpenAI’s products, such as its agent creation tools, to be available on Amazon Web Services and other cloud platforms.

Microsoft remains OpenAI’s largest shareholder, holding about 27 percent of the company. OpenAI will continue to run most of its workloads on Azure but can now expand partnerships with other technology providers including Amazon and Google Cloud.