OpenAI and Microsoft End Exclusivity: OpenAI Now Free to Deploy Across All Clouds

The End of Exclusivity

On April 27, 2026, Sam Altman announced that OpenAI has updated its partnership with Microsoft, ending the exclusive cloud arrangement. Microsoft remains OpenAI's primary cloud partner with first-access priority, but OpenAI is now free to deploy its products and services across any cloud provider.

Key Terms of the New Agreement

Microsoft retains a non-exclusive license to OpenAI IP through 2032

OpenAI continues paying Microsoft a revenue share through 2030, now subject to a cap

Microsoft stops paying a revenue share back to OpenAI

AGI-related provisions removed, simplifying the overall relationship

Why It Happened

OpenAI struck a $50 billion strategic partnership with Amazon in February 2026 and has been pursuing similar arrangements with other cloud providers. The original exclusive deal created legal uncertainty around these partnerships. This amendment resolves those tensions and formalizes OpenAI's multi-cloud strategy.

What This Means for Enterprises

Enterprise customers can now access OpenAI models and services natively on AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, removing a key source of friction for companies with preferred cloud environments. The move intensifies competition between cloud providers for OpenAI workloads.