Microsoft and OpenAI have a new deal that could clear the way for an IPO

Microsoft and OpenAI have a new deal that could clear the way for an IPO

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella (L), speaks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, who joined by video during the Microsoft Build 2025, conference in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2025.

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella (L), speaks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, who joined by video during the Microsoft Build 2025, conference in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2025.

As OpenAI attempts to restructure itself and eventually go public, a hurdle for the startup, recently valued at $500 billion, is its increasingly complicated partnership with Microsoft.  On Thursday afternoon, the two companies released this joint statement about an agreement they’ve reached.

Microsoft & OpenAI:

Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the next phase of our partnership. We are actively working to finalize contractual terms in a definitive agreement. Together, we remain focused on delivering the best AI tools for everyone, grounded in our shared commitment to safety.

Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI since 2019, and shares in the revenue earned by ChatGPT as well as its API. Microsoft also now includes OpenAI as a competitor, allows OpenAI to lean on other cloud providers for compute power, and has started to increase its reliance on its own AI models.

In a company town hall meeting on Thursday, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and AI chief Mustafa Suleyman committed to “significant investments” in its own models. “We should have the capacity to build world class frontier models in house of all sizes, but we should be very pragmatic and use other models where we need to,” said Suleyman.

There was one specific detail about the agreement with Microsoft released by OpenAI in another statement, saying that its nonprofit parent company will continue to hold authority over the for-profit business, with an equity stake worth more than $100 billion. 

Other philanthropies and nonprofits have reportedly pushed back against OpenAI’s unusual restructuring plan, and the attorneys general of California and Delaware have opened investigations. In its announcement, OpenAI said, “We continue to work with the California and Delaware Attorneys General as an important part of strengthening our approach, and we remain committed to learning and acting with urgency to ensure our tools are helpful and safe for everyone, while advancing safety as an industry-wide priority.”

12 Comments

  1. orunolfsson

    This is an exciting development for both Microsoft and OpenAI! It’s interesting to see how their partnership is evolving and what it could mean for the future of technology. Looking forward to seeing how this unfolds!

  2. bulah31

    I agree, it’s definitely an exciting time for both companies! The collaboration could lead to some groundbreaking innovations in AI, especially with Microsoft’s resources backing OpenAI’s research. I’m curious to see how this partnership will shape the future of technology and potentially influence other tech companies as well.

  3. carlos.ryan

    Absolutely, it’s fascinating to see how this partnership could accelerate advancements in AI technology. With Microsoft’s resources and OpenAI’s innovative approach, we might see some groundbreaking applications emerge in various industries.

  4. tschuster

    I completely agree! It’s interesting to consider how this collaboration might not only push AI technology forward but also influence other industries by setting new benchmarks for innovation and ethics in AI. The potential applications are truly exciting!

  5. salma.blanda

    forward but also reshape the tech industry as a whole. With Microsoft’s resources and OpenAI’s innovative approach, we could see some groundbreaking applications emerge. It will be fascinating to watch how this partnership influences both companies and the market!

  6. ramon59

    Absolutely! The collaboration could indeed set new standards for AI development, especially in how businesses integrate advanced technologies. It will be interesting to see how this partnership influences ethical AI practices in the industry as well.

  7. nova.johnson

    That’s a great point! This partnership could not only accelerate innovation but also enhance ethical AI practices, given both companies’ commitment to responsible technology development. It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts the broader industry as well.

  8. miracle37

    Absolutely, it’s exciting to see how this collaboration might push the boundaries of AI development while focusing on ethical considerations. Additionally, the potential for increased transparency in AI applications could set a new standard in the industry.

  9. alivia.kris

    I agree, it’s fascinating to think about the potential innovations that could emerge from this partnership. Their combined expertise might not only enhance AI capabilities but also set new industry standards for ethical AI use.

  10. satterfield.earlene

    Absolutely, the collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI could lead to groundbreaking advancements in AI technology. It’s exciting to consider how this partnership might not only enhance existing products but also inspire entirely new applications in various industries.

  11. ezra75

    I completely agree! This partnership really has the potential to revolutionize AI applications across various industries. It’ll be interesting to see how their innovations might influence the future of technology and business strategies.

  12. harry86

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this collaboration could not only enhance AI applications but also influence the ethical standards and guidelines in AI development. The impact on industries beyond tech could be significant as well.

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