Microsoft has made the decision to step down from its observer role on OpenAI’s board in order to address regulatory concerns. This move comes after OpenAI has shown significant improvements in its governance over the past eight months, as reported by Reuters. The tech giant initially took on a non-voting observer position in November 2023, allowing it to participate in meetings and access confidential information without influencing decisions. This decision coincided with the return of Sam Altman as the CEO of OpenAI, the company famous for its generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT.
Microsoft’s substantial investment of over $10 billion in OpenAI had triggered antitrust concerns in various regions, including Europe, Britain, and the United States regarding the level of control it might have over the AI startup.
The Financial Times has revealed that Apple, which recently announced plans to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, was expected to assume the observer role but ultimately decided against it. Apple has not provided any official comments on this matter, as per Reuters.
An OpenAI spokesperson shared that the company intends to implement a new engagement strategy, involving regular stakeholder meetings with key partners like Microsoft and Apple, as well as investors such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures.
Microsoft stated that its decision to relinquish the observer seat was influenced by OpenAI’s new partnerships, innovative advancements, and expanding customer base. In a letter dated July 9, Microsoft expressed confidence in the direction OpenAI is heading, stating, We have seen significant progress over the past eight months by the newly formed board and are convinced of the company’s trajectory. Consequently, we believe our current role as an observer is no longer necessary.
While European Union regulators have clarified that Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI does not fall under merger regulations, they will be seeking external feedback on the exclusivity terms within the agreement. At the same time, antitrust authorities in Britain and the US are closely monitoring Microsoft’s influence over OpenAI and the startup’s autonomy.
As the competition to deliver AI technology to enterprise clients intensifies, Microsoft and OpenAI are working to demonstrate their independence and address regulatory concerns. Microsoft is also expanding its AI capabilities on the Azure platform and has appointed the CEO of Inflection to lead its consumer AI division, signaling a strategic move towards diversification beyond its partnership with OpenAI.
