OpenAI and Microsoft have agreed to drop Microsoft’s exclusive right to sell OpenAI’s AI models — opening the door for OpenAI to pursue deals with cloud-computing rivals like Amazon and Google. The two companies announced the revised partnership in a joint statement on Monday 27 April 2026.
The Revenue Share Reset
- Microsoft: will no longer pay a revenue share to OpenAI
- OpenAI → Microsoft revenue share: continues through 2030 — but is now subject to a total cap
- Cap structure: independent of OpenAI’s technology progress, at the same percentage as before
Cloud Exclusivity Ends
OpenAI can now serve all of its products to customers across any cloud provider. Microsoft remains OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, with OpenAI products shipping first on Azure. But the exclusivity moat is gone.
IP Licence
Microsoft will continue to have a licence to OpenAI IP for models and products through 2032, though Microsoft’s licence is now non-exclusive.
$50B Amazon Deal Unblocked
The new structure effectively ends OpenAI’s legal limbo around its previously-announced $50 billion Amazon partnership, which had been in regulatory grey area while Microsoft’s exclusivity language remained intact.
Earnings Catalyst
Microsoft’s Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings on Wednesday will be the first read on whether the new structure cushions or hurts the bottom line. Bloomberg called the announcement the biggest shake-up in AI partnership history.
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