Evidence45%Reported
FactConfirmedBusiness·April 4, 2026
Microsoft's OpenAI Contract Restriction on Building Frontier AI Models Lifted (October 2025)
Microsoft was contractually restricted from building its own frontier AI models until October 2025 under its 2019 deal with OpenAI; that restriction has now been lifted, enabling the MAI model releases.
Evidence Strength
Evidence45%Reported
Based on original reporting
Single publisher source
Insights
First tracked
April 4, 2026
Last updated
April 4, 2026
Sources
1 source
Related Developments
Microsoft and OpenAI Increasingly Pursuing AI Development Separately Despite Ongoing PartnershipThe Register: Microsoft May Use Crusoe Texas Site to Serve OpenAIMicrosoft Launches Critique and Model Council Features for Copilot ResearcherMicrosoft Research Demonstrates Multi-Model AI System Combining GPT and Claude for Superior Research PerformanceMicrosoft's Earnings Multiple Falls to Lowest Level Since Q4 2022 ChatGPT Launch
Sources (1)
Source Timeline
Microsoft takes on Google and OpenAI with its own AI modelsDigital Trends·Apr 4
Evidence Strength
Evidence45%Reported
Based on original reporting
Single publisher source
Insights
First tracked
April 4, 2026
Last updated
April 4, 2026
Sources
1 source
Related Developments
Microsoft and OpenAI Increasingly Pursuing AI Development Separately Despite Ongoing PartnershipThe Register: Microsoft May Use Crusoe Texas Site to Serve OpenAIMicrosoft Launches Critique and Model Council Features for Copilot ResearcherMicrosoft Research Demonstrates Multi-Model AI System Combining GPT and Claude for Superior Research PerformanceMicrosoft's Earnings Multiple Falls to Lowest Level Since Q4 2022 ChatGPT Launch