Microsoft has relinquished its non-voting observer seat on OpenAI’s board of directors, a position it held for less than eight months. The tech giant cited OpenAI’s improved governance and significant progress as reasons for the decision, stating that its limited role as an observer is no longer necessary.This move comes amid intensifying scrutiny from antitrust regulators in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. Concerns have been raised about Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in OpenAI and its potential influence over the AI startup. The partnership has given Microsoft a competitive edge in the AI race, with OpenAI’s models powering various Microsoft products including Bing, Copilot, and numerous AI features.In response to these developments, OpenAI has announced a new approach to engaging with its stakeholders. The company plans to host regular meetings with strategic partners like Microsoft and Apple, as well as investors such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures. This new strategy aims to ‘share progress on our mission and ensure stronger collaboration on security’.Notably, Apple, which was rumored to be considering joining OpenAI’s board, has also declined to take a seat. This decision comes as Apple reportedly plans to integrate ChatGPT 4 into its latest iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems.While Microsoft’s withdrawal from the board is seen as a step towards addressing antitrust concerns, regulators remain cautious. The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI over potentially anti-competitive behavior in the AI space. Similarly, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is gathering information to determine whether the collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI poses a threat to competition.As the AI market continues to evolve rapidly, these developments highlight the complex interplay between technological advancement, corporate partnerships, and regulatory oversight in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Key points
- Microsoft has resigned from its observer seat on OpenAI’s board after less than eight months.
- The decision comes amid increasing antitrust scrutiny from regulators in the US, UK, and EU.
- OpenAI will adopt a new approach to engage with stakeholders, including regular meetings with partners and investors.
- Apple has also declined to take a seat on OpenAI’s board.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in OpenAI, some articles mention a $10 billion investment.
This discrepancy might be due to different reporting periods or additional investments made over time.
