Benj Adwords / OpenAI / Microsoft
Microsoft has stepped down from its non-voting observer role on OpenAI's board, while Apple has opted not to take a similar position, Axios and the Financial Times report. The creator of ChatGPT plans to update its business partners and investors through regular meetings rather than board representation. The development comes as regulators in the European Union and the United States increase scrutiny of big tech investments in AI startups over concerns of stifling competition.
Axios reported that on Tuesday, Keith Dolliver, Microsoft's deputy general counsel, sent a letter to OpenAI saying that the tech company's board had “significant progress” made by the newly formed board. The role is no longer “essential”. Microsoft accepted a non-voting position on OpenAI's board in November following the ouster and reinstatement of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Apple's Phil Schiller, who leads the App Store and Apple Events, may join OpenAI's board in an observer role as part of an AI deal. However, the Financial Times now reports that Apple would not take such a position, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
According to an OpenAI spokesperson who spoke to the Financial Times, instead of a board observer role, OpenAI has regular meetings with partners such as Microsoft and Apple, as well as investors Thru Capital and Khosla Ventures. Planned to host. The decision is part of a “new approach to informing and engaging key strategic partners” under Sarah Freire, who took over as OpenAI's first chief financial officer last month.
OpenAI's current eight-person voting board of directors includes Altman, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond-Hellman, former NSA Director Paul M. Nakasone, Sony Former President of the United States, Nicole Seligman, includes Quora. CEO Adam D'Angelo, and Instacart CEO Fidji Simo serve as chairs, along with former Salesforce Co-CEO Brett Taylor.
Regulatory pressures intensify.
Microsoft is a key financial and technology source for OpenAI, having invested more than $10 billion in the company since early 2023. The partnership gives Microsoft early access to leading creative AI models (although the long-term value remains to be seen), providing OpenAI with Microsoft computing muscle that powers both new AI model training runs and services like ChatGPT. Is.
While no official source has yet formally linked Microsoft's departure from the board (and Apple's change of direction on a potential OpenAI board position) to regulatory scrutiny, it's unlikely to be coincidental. Regulators in both the U.S. and Europe worry that big tech's heavy influence among fast-growing AI startups could unreasonably stifle competition and create de facto monopolies on key technologies that smaller rivals can't compete with. will suppress
In June, the FTC began looking into investments by big tech companies (such as Microsoft, Amazon and Google) in creative AI startups. Meanwhile, the European Commission also announced that it is exploring the possibility of an antitrust investigation into the Microsoft/OpenAI partnership after deciding not to proceed with an investigation under merger control rules.
Although Microsoft's financial ties to OpenAI are deep, as the Financial Times notes, the creator of ChatGPT says: “While our partnership with Microsoft involves billions of dollars in investment, OpenAI is a completely independent company. is managed by the OpenAI nonprofit.”