San Francisco, California, March 6, 2026 — OpenAI and Microsoft have reaffirmed their longstanding partnership, emphasizing continuity in their collaboration despite recent structural changes at OpenAI and new alliances, such as OpenAI’s deal with Amazon. The moves come as OpenAI adjusts its commerce strategy within ChatGPT and transitions to a public benefit corporation (PBC) structure, balancing its nonprofit roots with commercial ambitions.
The partnership, which began in 2019 with Microsoft’s initial $1 billion investment, has evolved into a cornerstone of AI development. A joint statement released on February 27, 2026, highlights that the alliance remains “strong and central,” with ongoing collaboration in research, engineering, and product development. Key elements unchanged include Microsoft’s exclusive license to OpenAI’s intellectual property (IP), Azure as the sole cloud provider for OpenAI’s stateless APIs, and revenue-sharing arrangements that extend to collaborations with other providers. OpenAI’s first-party products, like its Frontier model, will continue to run on Azure, ensuring seamless integration and security.
However, strategic shifts are evident. In October 2025, the companies signed a new definitive agreement following OpenAI’s recapitalization and formation of OpenAI Group PBC. Microsoft’s stake now stands at approximately 27% in the PBC, valued at $135 billion on an as-converted diluted basis, down from a prior 32.5% due to inclusion of all owners, including employees and the OpenAI Foundation. OpenAI has committed to purchasing an additional $250 billion in Azure services, but Microsoft no longer holds a right of first refusal as OpenAI’s compute provider, allowing OpenAI greater flexibility.
This flexibility has led to new partnerships, including a seven-year, $38 billion infrastructure deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS) signed in late 2025, and a reported $50 billion investment from Amazon. Microsoft has clarified that such collaborations were always contemplated under their agreements, stating, “Microsoft is enthusiastic to see what they build together.”
On the commerce front, OpenAI has paused direct purchases within ChatGPT, shifting transactions to external apps to improve user experience and address logistical challenges. An OpenAI spokesperson explained, “Estamos evolucionando nuestra forma de abordar el comercio en ChatGPT para satisfacer mejor a los comerciantes y usuarios donde se encuentran. Instant Checkout se está trasladando a las Apps, donde las compras pueden realizarse de forma más fluida.” This move, supported by the Agentic Commerce Protocol with Stripe, responds to low user engagement in in-app buying and aims to leverage AI recommendations while maintaining merchant control over data and security.
Microsoft, meanwhile, is pursuing greater independence in AI development. In November 2025, it updated its AI efforts, noting the ability to research artificial general intelligence (AGI) independently or with third parties. This includes developing in-house models like MAI-1 to reduce reliance on OpenAI, amid concerns over OpenAI’s projected $14 billion loss in 2026 and internal challenges, such as talent departures. The shift follows a history of tensions, including OpenAI’s 2023 board crisis where Microsoft briefly prepared to absorb its team.
Bret Taylor, OpenAI’s board president, emphasized that the nonprofit entity retains control, addressing criticisms from figures like Elon Musk about deviating from safe AI principles. The PBC structure aims to resolve these tensions while enabling growth.
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