Microsoft(MSFT.US) recalibrates its relationship with OpenAI: shifting focus to AI "self-sufficiency" and advancing in-house cutting-edge models

TechNews APP has learned that Mustafa Suleiman, head of Microsoft’s (MSFT.US) artificial intelligence business, stated that the company is seeking to achieve true self-sufficiency in AI by independently developing high-performance models and gradually reducing reliance on OpenAI’s technology.

Suleiman revealed that this strategic shift began after the restructuring of Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI in October 2025. Since then, Microsoft has started building cutting-edge technology independently rather than continuing to rely on external partners.

To date, Microsoft has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI and holds nearly 27% of the company behind ChatGPT.

“We must develop our own foundational models—be at the absolute forefront, possess gigawatt-level computing power, and have the world’s top AI training teams,” Suleiman said. He is one of the co-founders of Google DeepMind and joined Microsoft in March 2024.

Suleiman stated that Microsoft is heavily investing in integrating and organizing large-scale datasets, which is critical for training advanced systems. “This is our core mission to truly achieve self-sufficiency.”

It is reported that Microsoft previously relied on OpenAI’s models to power its AI services such as Copilot. Under the new agreement reached in October 2025, Microsoft’s rights to use intellectual property for products and models have been extended to 2032 and expanded to include related technologies beyond general artificial intelligence, with appropriate safety measures; meanwhile, OpenAI also gains greater freedom to introduce new investors and infrastructure partners.

In addition to OpenAI, Microsoft has invested in AI companies such as Anthropic and France’s Mistral. Meanwhile, internal self-developed models are accelerating. Suleiman said that self-developed products are expected to be launched “within this year.”

Targeting “Professional-Grade AGI” for the Enterprise Market

Suleiman said that Microsoft’s goal is to capture more enterprise market share by creating “professional-grade artificial general intelligence.” These AI tools can perform daily tasks for knowledge workers such as lawyers, accountants, project managers, and marketers.

“In the next 12 to 18 months, most tasks performed by white-collar workers at their computers will be fully automated by AI,” he said.

In the next two to three years, AI agents will be able to achieve better collaboration within large organizational workflows. It is also expected that these AI tools will have continuous learning and evolution capabilities, autonomously executing more tasks.

“Creating new models will become as common as making podcasts or writing blogs,” Suleiman said. “In the future, every organization and individual on Earth will be able to design AI tailored to their needs.”

Intensified Competition in the Enterprise Market and Capital Expenditure Pressure

However, Microsoft faces competitors in the enterprise market. Anthropic has established a clear lead in AI programming tools, and OpenAI and Google are also actively competing for enterprise AI contracts.

Microsoft’s capital expenditure for this fiscal year (ending June) is expected to reach $140 billion, mainly to boost AI infrastructure. But investors are concerned that such massive spending may create an AI “bubble” and weigh on the performance of large tech stocks. Over the past month, Microsoft’s stock has fallen approximately 13%.

“Undoubtedly, we are in an unprecedented era, and the market is trying to understand how the next five years will unfold,” Suleiman admitted. “But everyone is confident that these investments will eventually translate into revenue and profit.”

Healthcare “Superintelligence” and “Human-Centric” Vision

Suleiman said that another focus for Microsoft is promoting AI applications in healthcare, aiming to build “medical superintelligence”—using AI to alleviate shortages of medical personnel and long waiting times. It is reported that Microsoft launched an AI-assisted diagnostic tool last year, which reportedly outperforms human doctors in certain tasks.

He also emphasized that Microsoft pursues a “human-centric superintelligence”—AI technology always under human control, addressing industry concerns about some companies developing advanced AI systems that are difficult to regulate.

“We must redefine standards: only when a system is truly controllable and can operate in a manner subordinate to humans should it be introduced into the real world,” Suleiman said. “Like any past technology, these tools aim to enhance human well-being and serve humanity, not surpass humans.”