Microsoft has positioned itself as OpenAI’s biggest backer, pouring a hefty $13 billion into the creator of ChatGPT, forming what many consider a legendary partnership in the tech world. However, recent developments hint at possible turbulence in this high-profile alliance. Earlier this year, Microsoft briefly edged out Apple and NVIDIA to become the world’s most valuable company, largely thanks to its pioneering investment and adoption of AI throughout its tech offerings. The tech titan has invested billions to nurture OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI developments, gaining first dibs on cutting-edge AI models in return.
Most of Microsoft’s suite of products integrates OpenAI’s state-of-the-art technology. Yet, a fresh report from Reuters suggests the company could be eyeing new AI model integrations for its Microsoft 365 Copilot service, models that aren’t sourced from OpenAI. According to the report, Microsoft might be distancing itself from OpenAI’s offerings—such as the GPT-4 model—due to high costs and insufficient speed to meet the demands of Microsoft’s enterprise clients. The software giant is actively pursuing cost-cutting strategies for features like GitHub Copilot, with the goal of providing savings to customers.
This development follows earlier reports hinting at friction between Microsoft and OpenAI, pointing to disagreements over their exclusive partnership and the towering expenses associated with the computing power required for OpenAI’s advancements. OpenAI insiders have even suggested that Microsoft’s struggle to meet computing demands might endanger the AI firm’s pursuit of the AGI milestone, especially as competitors in AI are swiftly catching up.
Turning to Microsoft’s challenges with Copilot 365, this tool is intricately woven into Microsoft’s productivity apps, such as PowerPoint and Word. It’s engineered to sift through company data, aiding users in rapidly retrieving information and condensing meetings and emails to boost productivity. However, there have been murmurings of dissatisfaction. A recent report described failures in Microsoft’s deployment of Copilot and its sophisticated AI models, even with early access to OpenAI’s technology. A Microsoft executive even dubbed several Copilot AI tools as mere “gimmicks,” admitting the company’s heavy reliance on third-party providers to ensure Copilot functions across platforms like Microsoft 365. Feedback from some users highlights a dissatisfaction rate where the AI tool falters “75% of the time,” with some questioning the monthly user fee of $30.
Meanwhile, OpenAI appears to be pushing to remove a conditional clause that would dissolve its partnership with Microsoft upon reaching the AGI benchmark. Notably, CEO Sam Altman of OpenAI has hinted at the pending arrival of AGI, suggesting it might come quicker than expected with minimal societal disruption. A technical member at OpenAI has even claimed that AGI might already be a reality with the launch of OpenAI o1.
Faced with these uncertainties, Microsoft may be wise to diversify its investments in AI. Given the recent reports speculating on OpenAI’s financial instability—potential bankruptcy with predicted losses up to $5 billion within a year—Microsoft looks to mitigate risks. CEO Satya Nadella seems to indicate that severing ties post-AGI is the logical step forward.
