Is AGI finally in OpenAI’s grasp? The ChatGPT maker reportedly wants to scrap a stringent clause — extending its Microsoft tie-up beyond AGI and securing more investment for exorbitant AI advances

Is AGI finally in OpenAI's grasp? The ChatGPT maker reportedly wants to scrap a stringent clause — extending its Microsoft tie-up beyond AGI and securing more investment for exorbitant AI advances

What you need to know

  • A new report suggests OpenAI plans to scrap the clause that would void its partnership with Microsoft after hitting the AGI benchmark.
  • The move could be OpenAI’s way of securing future investment for its AI advances via Microsoft by giving it extended access to advanced AI models post-AGI.
  • Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella indicated that the only natural cause of action would be to sever their ties after OpenAI hits the AGI benchmark. However, its main goal is to achieve the superintelligence benchmark.

As a tech enthusiast with over two decades of experience in the industry, I’ve seen partnerships come and go, but none as complex and intriguing as Microsoft’s alliance with OpenAI. The latest developments have me on the edge of my seat!


Microsoft’s alliance with OpenAI is at best intricate due to OpenAI’s substantial investment in the firm behind ChatGPT and its extensive integration throughout its technology infrastructure. This has led some Microsoft employees to openly voice their worries, suggesting that the company may be functioning more like a high-tech support team for the up-and-coming startup, rather than a leading tech powerhouse itself.

This year, the European Union’s antitrust authorities were examining Microsoft due to its significant purchase of an AI company. Yet, they soon determined that this investment wasn’t equivalent to an acquisition by Microsoft, leading them to cease their examination.

During an interview with Steven Levy at Wired, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella disclosed extensive insights about their collaboration with OpenAI. Contrary to some rumors, he clarified that Microsoft did not try to buy OpenAI because it operates as a non-profit entity.

Nadella detailed a “complex solution” developed by Microsoft in partnership with OpenAI, which aimed to produce a profitable venture allowing them to earn income. The executive additionally admitted the presence of a limit on the amount of profit the collaboration is able to make.

At this juncture, Satya Nadella suggested that cutting off ties might be the most logical next step, yet the primary objective remains achieving the superintelligence milestone.

It’s worth noting that Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, suggested that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive sooner than expected and may not cause as much societal upheaval as one might anticipate. Additionally, he hinted that AGI, similar to ChatGPT, could be just a few thousand days away for the company.

OpenAI is reportedly rethinking the profit cap to secure future investment

Is AGI finally in OpenAI's grasp? The ChatGPT maker reportedly wants to scrap a stringent clause — extending its Microsoft tie-up beyond AGI and securing more investment for exorbitant AI advances

As per a recent report by the Financial Times, OpenAI is actively seeking solutions to bypass the limit that prevents Microsoft from accessing its cutting-edge AI models following the achievement of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

OpenAI’s principal investor is likely Microsoft, holding approximately 49% ownership. In addition to Microsoft, NVIDIA, Thrive Capital, and other significant investors, Microsoft contributed a substantial $6.6 billion in the most recent funding round for the company behind ChatGPT. This infusion of capital significantly boosted OpenAI’s market value, surpassing $157 billion.

As an analyst, I might rephrase this statement as follows:

According to another report, it is projected that OpenAI might experience losses amounting to approximately $44 billion before achieving profitability by 2029. Some financial experts believe this potential outcome is linked to OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft.

OpenAI faces the challenge of transforming into a profit-making organization within the next two years, or else it may need to return the funds raised during its recent funding round. Not meeting this expectation might lead to complications such as outside intervention and possible hostile acquisitions by companies like Microsoft (there’s speculation that Microsoft could acquire OpenAI in the following three years).

At a pivotal moment when market professionals predict the decline of the AI boom, leading investors are shifting their resources away from this field. To put it into perspective, an independent study forecasts that about one-third of ongoing AI initiatives might be terminated by 2025 following demonstration of concept.

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2024-12-07 21:09