Microsoft, OpenAI Reach Non-Binding Deal To Allow OpenAI To Restructure (reuters.com) 5
Microsoft and OpenAI have signed a non-binding deal to restructure their partnership, paving the way for OpenAI to shift into a conventional for-profit model and potentially go public. Reuters reports: Details on the new commercial arrangements were not disclosed, but the companies said they were working to finalize terms of a definitive agreement. [...] Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019 and another $10 billion at the beginning of 2023. Under their previous agreement, Microsoft had exclusive rights to sell OpenAI's software tools through its Azure cloud computing platform and had preferred access to the startup's technology.
Microsoft was once designated as OpenAI's sole compute provider, though it lessened its grip this year to allow OpenAI to pursue its own data center project, Stargate, including signing $300 billion worth of long-term contracts with Oracle, as well as another cloud deal with Google. As OpenAI's revenue grows into the billions, it is seeking a more conventional corporate structure and partnerships with additional cloud providers to expand sales and secure the computing capacity needed to meet demand. Microsoft, meanwhile, wants continued access to OpenAI's technology even if OpenAI declares its models have reached humanlike intelligence - a milestone that would end the current partnership under existing terms.
OpenAI said under current terms, its nonprofit arm will receive more than $100 billion -- about 20% of the $500 billion valuation it is seeking in private markets -- making it one of the most well-funded nonprofits, according to a memo from Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI's current nonprofit board. The companies did not disclose how much of OpenAI Microsoft will own, nor whether Microsoft will retain exclusive access to OpenAI's latest models and technology. Regulatory hurdles remain for OpenAI, as attorneys general in California and Delaware need to approve OpenAI's new structure. The company hopes to complete the conversion by year's end, or risk losing billions in funding tied to that timeline.
Microsoft was once designated as OpenAI's sole compute provider, though it lessened its grip this year to allow OpenAI to pursue its own data center project, Stargate, including signing $300 billion worth of long-term contracts with Oracle, as well as another cloud deal with Google. As OpenAI's revenue grows into the billions, it is seeking a more conventional corporate structure and partnerships with additional cloud providers to expand sales and secure the computing capacity needed to meet demand. Microsoft, meanwhile, wants continued access to OpenAI's technology even if OpenAI declares its models have reached humanlike intelligence - a milestone that would end the current partnership under existing terms.
OpenAI said under current terms, its nonprofit arm will receive more than $100 billion -- about 20% of the $500 billion valuation it is seeking in private markets -- making it one of the most well-funded nonprofits, according to a memo from Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI's current nonprofit board. The companies did not disclose how much of OpenAI Microsoft will own, nor whether Microsoft will retain exclusive access to OpenAI's latest models and technology. Regulatory hurdles remain for OpenAI, as attorneys general in California and Delaware need to approve OpenAI's new structure. The company hopes to complete the conversion by year's end, or risk losing billions in funding tied to that timeline.
No chance of intellegence (Score:2)
M$ is safe on the existing deal. OpenAI is clueless on the intelligence meter. The science hasn't even begun.
Echos of Googles: "Do No Evil" (Score:3)
Non-binding deal? (Score:3)
I don't understand.
A deal is when two (or more) parties agree to do something.
What is a "non-binding" deal? Two parties....what? Don't agree to do something?
In this deal, it seems like they have a deal. They're agreeing to something. What is non-binding about?
Does it just mean they can change their mind about the deal at some point in the future? If so, isn't that just part of the deal?
How do you even have a "non-binding" deal? What does that even mean?
Re: (Score:2)
It's kind of like a verbal agreement. You know, like when you are offered a job at the end of the interview, and you say you'll accept. That's the non-binding deal. When you get the written offer, and you sign it, that's the binding deal.
Nonprofits should not be allowed to convert (Score:4, Interesting)
A nonprofit avoids paying taxes and has a fiduciary responsibility to benefit humanity in some way. When a nonprofit converts to a for-profit entity, at the very least, the conversion should include paying ALL back taxes, plus interest, that were avoided since the beginning of the organization, that it would have paid if it were a for-profit entity.