Microsoft resigns as OpenAI board observer amid antitrust scrutiny

Tech giant Microsoft has resigned from an observer seat on the board of OpenAI, a company that has come under fire from regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. Microsoft says it was unnecessary after the AI ​​company’s governance improved over the past eight months.

Apple, which last month announced it would bring OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot to its devices, will not take an observer role on OpenAI’s board, despite being widely expected to do so, the Financial Times reported, citing a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

An OpenAI spokesperson said the company will introduce a new approach to engagement, hosting regular stakeholder meetings with strategic partners like Microsoft and Apple, and investors like Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures.

Microsoft took a non-voting observer position on OpenAI’s board last November, after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took back the helm of the company that operates the generative AI chatbot ChatGPT.

This position allowed participation in OpenAI board meetings and access to confidential information, but did not provide voting rights on matters such as selecting or recommending directors.

Microsoft’s observer status and investment in OpenAI of over $10 billion have raised concerns among competition authorities in Europe, the UK and the US about the extent of control the company exerts over OpenAI.

Microsoft emphasized that OpenAI’s new partnerships, innovation, and growing customer base since Altman returned to the startup were the reasons for relinquishing his spot as an observer.

“We have seen significant progress from our newly formed board over the past eight months and are confident in the direction the company is headed. Given all of this, we no longer believe our limited observer role is necessary,” the company wrote in a July 9 letter to OpenAI.

EU antitrust regulators said last month that the partnership would not be subject to EU merger rules because Microsoft does not control OpenAI. Instead, they will seek advice from third parties on exclusivity clauses in the deal.

Meanwhile, British and American competition authorities continue to have concerns and questions about Microsoft’s influence on OpenAI and the latter’s independence.

Microsoft and OpenAI are increasingly competing to sell AI technology to enterprise customers, both aiming to generate revenue and demonstrate their independence to regulators amid antitrust concerns.

Additionally, Microsoft is expanding its AI offerings on Azure and has hired the CEO of Inflection to lead its consumer AI business, a move widely seen as an attempt to diversify beyond OpenAI.