According to the Financial Times, Microsoft and OpenAI are currently engaged in challenging negotiations that could redefine their multi-billion-dollar partnership. The talks come as OpenAI works to overhaul its corporate structure while ensuring control remains with its nonprofit board.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Microsoft—having invested roughly $13 billion—is a key stakeholder whose approval is necessary for OpenAI’s new for-profit restructuring, which involves transitioning its commercial operations into a public benefit corporation. However, this model, where a nonprofit board retains governance, is reportedly raising concerns among some investors, including Microsoft.
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A major point of contention is Microsoft’s equity stake in the restructured entity. The tech giant is also negotiating broader terms, including long-term access to OpenAI’s future technologies beyond their existing 2030 agreement. In exchange, Microsoft may consider giving up some of its equity.
Tensions have been heightened by OpenAI’s growing enterprise presence and its independent push into AI infrastructure development, such as the Stargate supercomputing project—areas that potentially overlap with Microsoft’s own ambitions.
As of now, neither company has issued a public statement regarding the negotiations.
