Microsoft and OpenAI sign a major agreement again: OpenAI adds a $250 billion Azure service order, Microsoft obtains a 27% equity stake, and AI model authorization extends to 2032

OpenAI and its largest investor Microsoft have reached a new agreement on their cooperation framework.

On Tuesday local time, Microsoft and OpenAI released a joint statement. As a key part of the cooperation agreement, OpenAI committed to additional purchases of $250 billion in Azure cloud computing services from Microsoft.

Microsoft supports OpenAI in establishing a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). After OpenAI completes its capital restructuring, Microsoft's investment rights in the PBC are explicitly valued at $135 billion. Based on the "conversion dilution benchmark" and including all owners (employees, investors, and the OpenAI Foundation), Microsoft holds approximately 27% equity. Excluding the impact of OpenAI's recent financing round, Microsoft's stake in OpenAI's profit-making entity is 32.5% (calculated based on the conversion benchmark).

In addition, OpenAI remains Microsoft's frontier model partner. According to the statement, Microsoft's intellectual property licensing for OpenAI models and products has been extended to 2032, which includes models after the realization of AGI (with appropriate safety barriers).

After the announcement, Microsoft's stock price surged by as much as 4%.

Technology Licensing, Microsoft Gains Extension

The agreement continues the exclusive cooperation between the two parties in the field of cutting-edge models, with Microsoft remaining the preferred partner for OpenAI's frontier models. In terms of intellectual property, the licensing obtained by Microsoft has seen significant expansion:

• The licensing period is explicitly extended to 2032.

• The scope of licensing explicitly includes subsequent models after the realization of AGI for the first time.

• Permanent rights to core intellectual property such as model architecture and weights are retained.

• The protection period for research-related intellectual property is set to the earlier of "AGI verification achievement or 2030."

Restructuring of Business Model and Operational Authority

The agreement redefines the boundaries of commercial cooperation between the two parties:

• OpenAI commits to additional purchases of Azure cloud services valued at $250 billion, setting a record for a single purchase in the cloud computing field.

• Microsoft relinquishes its priority purchasing rights for computing power but ensures a long-term cooperation foundation through substantial purchasing commitments.

• OpenAI is permitted to collaborate with third parties, with API products still exclusively hosted by Azure.

• OpenAI is allowed to provide services directly to U.S. government national security clients, breaking through cloud service provider restrictions.

• OpenAI is permitted to release open-source models under compliance with standards.

AGI Governance and Future Development Framework

For the strategically valuable AGI field, the agreement establishes an innovative governance mechanism:

• An independent expert group is introduced as the authoritative verification body for AGI achievement

• Microsoft is authorized to independently or jointly develop AGI with third parties, but will be subject to computational threshold limits when using OpenAI technology.

• The revenue-sharing agreement will continue until AGI validation is achieved, with the payment cycle correspondingly extended.