OpenAI restructures, continues to partner with Microsoft but excludes hardware it plans to deploy



OpenAI has announced that it has restructured and streamlined its organization. In September 2025, OpenAI and Microsoft

signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) revising their partnership as a step toward an OpenAI IPO. While the partnership will continue, Microsoft will no longer have any rights to future OpenAI consumer hardware.

Built to benefit everyone | OpenAI
https://openai.com/index/built-to-benefit-everyone/



The next chapter of the Microsoft–OpenAI partnership - The Official Microsoft Blog
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2025/10/28/the-next-chapter-of-the-microsoft-openai-partnership/

Microsoft, OpenAI reach deal removing fundraising constraints for ChatGPT maker | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/business/microsoft-openai-reach-new-deal-allow-openai-restructure-2025-10-28/

OpenAI completed its for-profit restructuring — and struck a new deal with Microsoft | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/807875/openai-microsoft-for-profit-agi

OpenAI completes restructure, solidifying Microsoft as a major shareholder
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/28/open-ai-for-profit-microsoft.html

OpenAI has a complex organizational structure in which a nonprofit organization manages and owns its for-profit subsidiary. At one point, CEO Sam Altman and others aimed to fully commercialize the company, but the plan was abandoned in May 2025 due to opposition from various quarters.

OpenAI decides to abandon commercialization and continue to be managed by a non-profit organization - GIGAZINE



Subsequently, while continuing to operate as a non-profit organization, the company changed its policy to become a public benefit corporation (PBC) and raise funds through an IPO, and discussions were held with Microsoft.

Microsoft and OpenAI to review partnership, non-profit organization OpenAI Inc. to remain a non-profit organization - GIGAZINE



As a result of the negotiations, it was announced that the partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft has entered its 'next chapter.'

First, as OpenAI had planned, the OpenAI Group PBC will be restructured as a non-profit organization, with Microsoft's stake in the company valued at $135 billion, or approximately 27%, after the restructuring.

The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft will continue, with Microsoft retaining exclusive intellectual property rights and exclusive access to Azure APIs until artificial general intelligence (AGI) is realized, and Microsoft will be able to pursue AGI on its own or in partnership with third-party companies.

On the other hand, restrictions on OpenAI's fundraising ability that have been in place since the partnership in 2019 will be lifted, and Microsoft will no longer have rights to OpenAI's consumer hardware.

Following the announcement, Microsoft's stock price rose 2%, bringing its market capitalization back above $4 trillion (approximately 610 trillion yen).

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in AI,   Note, Posted by logc_nt