Two giants in the world of artificial intelligence, Microsoft and OpenAI, have reached a new agreement to take their long-standing partnership to the next level. The companies announced the signing of a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU). This move opens a new chapter in the two organizations’ ongoing partnership.

The collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI is expanding.

According to reports, the details of the agreement have not yet been made public. However, rumors suggest that this new agreement addresses critical issues such as technology sharing and revenue distribution.

This development is seen as a turning point in OpenAI’s plan to transition from a non-profit to a for-profit organization. Microsoft is the largest investor in OpenAI, having invested more than $13 billion in the company since 2019. Therefore, any changes to OpenAI’s structure require Microsoft’s approval.

The relationship between the two companies has become complex as OpenAI has grown from a research lab to a $500 billion company. They are now competing with each other for customers.

It’s also known that OpenAI has requested more processing capacity from Microsoft. Clauses in the existing agreement, which restrict Microsoft’s access to OpenAI’s technology once it reaches the AGI (general artificial intelligence) level, have been creating tension between the two parties for some time.

Last May, OpenAI backed away from the idea of ​​becoming a purely for-profit company. The company adopted a new structure in which a nonprofit board would remain under its control and its for-profit subsidiary would be transformed into a public benefit corporation.

Under this model, the nonprofit would become the largest shareholder, with shares valued at more than $100 billion. The memorandum signed on Thursday demonstrates that the two companies are working to find common ground on this new structural plan.