Microsoft unveils plans to develop independent AI models, ending reliance on OpenAI after renegotiating their partnership terms.
Microsoft announced its ambition to become one of the world’s top four AI labs, joining Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic. The move follows a renegotiated contract with OpenAI, granting Microsoft autonomy to train large-scale multimodal models using its own data and intellectual property.
The company ended its exclusive partnership with OpenAI in April 2026, signaling a shift toward independent AI development. Microsoft’s AI chief, Mustafa Suleyman, highlighted the opportunity to pursue superintelligence without external dependencies.
Separately, Microsoft agreed to fund 40% of a $250 million settlement resolving Activision Blizzard shareholder claims tied to their 2023 merger. The deal awaits court approval.