Microsoft and OpenAI Seal a Surprise Deal That Changes the Game

OpenAI, now the undisputed master of the field of artificial intelligences, wants to find how to keep its throne. After shaking up the industry with ChatGPT, the company projects itself into a new phase of its history. OpenAI executives no longer settle for their status as innovators: they want to emancipate themselves, consolidate their model, and attract even more capital. Faced with this ambition, Microsoft remains essential, but the balances are about to shift.

An OpenAI-Microsoft Narrative Written in Billions

The partnership between OpenAI, valued at 10 billion dollars per year, and Microsoft, started in 2019 with an initial injection of one billion dollars, is now at a turning point. In 2023, Satya Nadella’s firm strengthened its commitment with an additional 10 billion. But the non-binding agreement announced in September 2025 opens a new stage. OpenAI wishes to transform its commercial branch into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Its nonprofit arm will maintain control while holding a stake over 100 billion dollars.

Sam Altman made sure to recall the guiding principle: “OpenAI was founded as a nonprofit, is today a nonprofit that oversees and controls the for-profit, and going forward will remain a nonprofit.“

One thing is certain: the OpenAI-Microsoft marriage adapts to the demands of a sector where every quarter reshuffles the cards.

Between Regulation and Expansion, OpenAI Walks a Tightrope

While the alliance is solid, OpenAI still has regulatory hurdles to cross. The company is based in San Francisco but incorporated in Delaware. To validate its transformation into a PBC, it will need to convince the attorneys general of California and Delaware. OpenAI hopes to finalize the operation by the end of 2025, under risk of losing billions in investments.

Meanwhile, the company extends its technical independence. Long dependent on Azure, it now diversifies its partnerships with massive contracts: 300 billion signed with Oracle and a new agreement with Google Cloud. This strategy illustrates a desire to reduce dependency on Microsoft without breaking the alliance.

In their joint statement, the two partners were keen to reassure: 

Together, we remain focused on delivering the best AI tools for everyone, based on our shared commitment to safety. 

OpenAI wants to attract investors and regulators, while consolidating its position against competition.

OpenAI, a Giant That Also Wants to Play the Philanthropic Card

This restructuring has more than a financial objective. In its official statement, Bret Taylor emphasized: 

The planned evolution of OpenAI will see the current nonprofit organization control a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) and directly share its success. OpenAI started as a nonprofit organization, remains one today, and will continue to be — with the nonprofit structure holding the authority that will guide our future. 

This hybrid model aims to combine innovation, capital, and philanthropy. As of September 2025, OpenAI launched a 50 million dollar fund to finance AI literacy, community innovation, and equality of opportunity. The idea: to show that artificial intelligence can also nurture the social fabric.

Some Numbers That Are Mind-Boggling:

• Valuation targeted by OpenAI: 300 billion dollars;
• Expected revenue in 2025: 12.7 billion dollars;
• Nonprofit entity’s holding: more than 100 billion dollars;
• Grants unlocked in September 2025: 50 million dollars.

OpenAI maintains a lead. ChatGPT currently experiences a visit rate higher than all its competitors. The company prepares a future where it will no longer be limited to the role of pioneer: a project for an “AI LinkedIn” is already on the table, while an AI-powered web browser could threaten Google’s supremacy.