Microsoft’s Exit from OpenAI’s Board: A Clever Maneuver to Dodge Antitrust Scrutiny
In a shocking move, Microsoft has abandoned its non-voting seat on OpenAI’s board, citing “sufficient progress” in the AI company’s direction. But insiders are saying this is just a smokescreen to avoid EU antitrust regulators breathing down their necks.
As Axios revealed, Microsoft’s observer position was just a temporary arrangement, allowing them to maintain a toehold on OpenAI while keeping their massive $13 billion investment under the radar. And now, with Microsoft’s withdrawal, the tech giant can officially distance itself from the AI company while still retaining control through their majority stake.
This move has many experts raising eyebrows, particularly after EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager warned against these kinds of partnerships becoming “vehicles for big tech companies to control other corporations.” But it seems Microsoft and OpenAI are willing to risk the wrath of regulators to maintain their lucrative arrangement.
Meanwhile, the AI company is left with a new approach to engaging key partners, including Apple, which had reportedly been eyeing an observer seat. But with Microsoft out of the picture, it remains to be seen if these partnerships will lead to real collaboration or just more smoke and mirrors.
And let’s not forget the trail of top researchers who have fled OpenAI in recent months, including the departure of Ilya Sutskever, who founded a new AI company to focus on AI safety. It seems OpenAI is losing its luster, and Microsoft’s exit from the board is just the latest sign of its waning influence.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story as we delve deeper into the murky waters of big tech’s attempts to shape the AI landscape.
