OpenAI and Microsoft are currently engaged in discussions to revise the terms of their multibillion-dollar partnership, a move that could pave the way for OpenAI to go public while ensuring Microsoft retains ongoing access to advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The talks, as reported by the Financial Times, aim to recalibrate Microsoft’s equity position in OpenAI’s for-profit entity, which operates alongside its nonprofit arm.
Microsoft, which has invested over $13 billion into OpenAI since their collaboration began in 2019, may consider reducing its equity stake in return for guaranteed long-term access to OpenAI’s next-generation AI models beyond the year 2030. This shift reflects both parties’ evolving priorities as OpenAI experiences rapid growth and Microsoft expands its own AI infrastructure.
Their original partnership began with a $1 billion investment and has grown into one of the most significant alliances in tech, powering Microsoft’s Azure cloud offerings and embedding OpenAI tools like ChatGPT across Microsoft products. The review of this agreement comes as OpenAI’s valuation and influence in the AI space continue to soar.
OpenAI has now raised a total of $57.9 billion through various funding rounds since 2015, including a massive $40 billion Series F round led by SoftBank in March 2025. This round not only marks its largest to date but also signals strong investor belief in the company’s long-term vision and business model.
As part of the ongoing negotiations, OpenAI has reportedly informed investors of plans to decrease the revenue share it allocates to Microsoft. This adjustment would give the company more control over its financial future and is widely seen as a step toward an eventual public offering.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been recalibrating its AI approach. In January, it launched a strategic venture with Oracle and SoftBank to build AI data centers worth up to $500 billion in the U.S. This move shows Microsoft’s interest in broadening its AI footprint beyond its work with OpenAI.
The current talks between OpenAI and Microsoft reflect the fluid nature of partnerships in the AI sector. As OpenAI considers a public listing, the outcome of these discussions could reshape the balance of power in the industry, influencing how companies collaborate, invest, and innovate in the fast-evolving AI landscape.
