Microsoft and OpenAI have announced a significant restructuring of their landmark partnership, removing key exclusivity clauses and altering revenue-sharing arrangements. The changes, effective immediately, grant OpenAI the freedom to offer its products across multiple cloud providers, ending Microsoft's previous status as the exclusive cloud partner.
Under the revised agreement, OpenAI can now serve its products to customers via rival cloud platforms, including those operated by Amazon and Google. While Microsoft remains the primary cloud partner and OpenAI products will still launch first on Azure, the exclusivity is no longer a binding constraint. Microsoft retains a non-exclusive license to OpenAI's intellectual property for models and products through 2032.
Revenue share payments from OpenAI to Microsoft, which will continue through 2030 at the same percentage, are now subject to an overall cap. Other revenue-sharing arrangements have been eliminated. The agreement also removes complex language regarding artificial general intelligence (AGI) that could have altered the partnership's terms.
Microsoft's stake in OpenAI is valued at over $135 billion, according to reports. The restructuring follows months of reported tensions and Microsoft's strategic moves to diversify its AI relationships. In September, Microsoft reduced its reliance on OpenAI by purchasing models from rival Anthropic. In February 2026, OpenAI raised $110 billion in funding from Amazon, SoftBank, and Nvidia, with both companies issuing a joint statement affirming their continued close collaboration.
Microsoft's shares experienced a slight decline of about 0.2% on the day of the announcement, suggesting investor concerns about the company potentially ceding a competitive advantage. For OpenAI, the new structure provides greater autonomy as it seeks to expand its enterprise reach and explores a potential initial public offering.
