Microsoft and OpenAI amend agreement to allow OpenAI products on AWS and other cloud providers, ending Azure exclusivity

Microsoft and OpenAI amended their agreement, allowing OpenAI to serve its products across any cloud provider including AWS. Microsoft remains OpenAI's primary cloud partner with first access to products unless it cannot support necessary capabilities. Microsoft's license to OpenAI IP for models and products now runs through 2032 and is non-exclusive. Microsoft will no longer pay a revenue share to OpenAI, though OpenAI continues revenue share payments to Microsoft through 2030 at the same percentage subject to a total cap.

OpenAI is launching Bedrock Managed Agents powered by OpenAI on AWS. The service aims to make agent workflows more accessible for organizations with data already in AWS, functioning similarly to how Codex operates as a local offering by reducing complexity around security and organizational implementation.

The exclusivity arrangement had become a competitive disadvantage for Microsoft's OpenAI investment, as enterprises prioritized accessing models on their current cloud provider rather than switching to Azure. Releasing OpenAI from the AGI clause means the agreement between the two companies will run through 2032 regardless of AGI development.