OpenAI and Microsoft are reshaping their partnership once again. On Monday, both companies confirmed new changes to their agreement, with the biggest shift allowing OpenAI to work with other cloud providers.
While Microsoft will remain OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, OpenAI can now use alternatives like Amazon if Microsoft is unable or unwilling to support certain capabilities. OpenAI is also free to offer its products across any cloud platform.
The update comes about six months after the companies last revised their deal following OpenAI’s corporate restructuring. Previously, the partnership was far more exclusive, even leading to tensions over OpenAI’s reported enterprise deal with Amazon Web Services.
Another key change: Microsoft’s license to OpenAI’s technology is now non-exclusive through 2032. Microsoft will also stop receiving a share of OpenAI’s revenue, while OpenAI’s payments to Microsoft will continue until 2030 but will be capped and no longer tied to progress toward AGI.
Microsoft remains OpenAI’s largest investor and a shareholder, while still securing priority access to OpenAI technology through Azure.
The revised terms reduce earlier friction in the partnership and give OpenAI more flexibility—something analysts say could support a future IPO.
Meanwhile, a separate legal battle involving Elon Musk, OpenAI, and Sam Altman is set to begin, adding another layer of uncertainty to the company’s future.