OpenAI Ends Azure Exclusivity: Model Delivery Control Shifts from Microsoft to Multi-Cloud
OpenAI and Microsoft restructured their partnership in April 2026, ending exclusive Azure licensing and capacity commitments. OpenAI can now serve customers on any cloud; Microsoft retains right of first refusal and revenue share only on its platform. Driven by GPT-5.1's ~3 exaflops inference demand and FTC antitrust scrutiny.
