Amazon has announced a “major expansion” of its partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, marking a shift in the AI landscape as OpenAI loosens its ties with longtime backer Microsoft. The collaboration, revealed on Tuesday, involves Amazon Web Services (AWS) co-developing a new platform for AI agents capable of performing computer-based tasks on behalf of users.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the announcement via a prerecorded video message at an Amazon event in San Francisco, while simultaneously appearing in federal court in Oakland for a civil trial brought by rival OpenAI co-founder Elon Musk. Altman emphasised the importance of reliable infrastructure, stating, “These systems need to run reliably and robustly… That’s what makes this partnership with AWS so important.”
The expansion comes a day after Microsoft said it would no longer pay a share of its revenue to OpenAI, a move that further untethers their close partnership. Previously, OpenAI relied exclusively on Microsoft’s cloud computing services, while Microsoft used OpenAI’s technology for its AI assistant Copilot. However, OpenAI has since diversified its cloud partners to include Amazon, Google, and Oracle as it transitions from a nonprofit to a for-profit enterprise aiming for an initial public offering.
Despite the changes, Microsoft remains OpenAI’s primary cloud partner, and OpenAI’s products will continue to launch on Microsoft’s Azure platform unless Microsoft cannot support the necessary capabilities. OpenAI will also continue to pay Microsoft a share of its revenue through 2030, though the rate is now capped. OpenAI’s chief revenue officer, Denise Dresser, also spoke at the Amazon event, highlighting the company’s focus on boosting sales to large business customers.
