OpenAI has reached an agreement to incorporate Alphabet’s Google Cloud services into its operations, a move that highlights a noteworthy alliance between two AI industry rivals, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The arrangement, which had been under negotiation for several months, was finalized in May, one source told Reuters.
This collaboration reflects how the intense demand for computing power required to build and operate AI models is reshaping partnerships in the technology sector.
It also marks another step by OpenAI to broaden its computing infrastructure beyond its primary backer, Microsoft, including ventures like its highly publicized Stargate data center initiative.
The deal represents a notable win for Google Cloud, which will supply additional resources to help OpenAI meet the surging demand for training and operating AI models, the sources confirmed on condition of anonymity.
This development comes at a time when OpenAI’s ChatGPT has emerged as a serious competitor to Google’s search dominance, although Google executives recently acknowledged that the AI race may not be a “winner-take-all” scenario.
Neither OpenAI, Google, nor Microsoft offered public statements on the agreement. Alphabet’s shares rose 2.1% following the news, while Microsoft’s fell 0.6%.
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A Strategic Shift Amid Rising AI Demands
In a note released Tuesday, Scotiabank analysts described the announcement as “somewhat surprising,” pointing out the opportunity it presents for Google Cloud while also noting the growing competitive pressure from ChatGPT.
“The deal … underscores the fact that the two are willing to overlook heavy competition between them to meet the massive computing demands.
Ultimately, we view this as a big win for Google’s cloud unit, but … there are continued worries that ChatGPT is becoming an incrementally larger threat to Google’s search dominance,” the analysts noted.
Since the rapid rise of ChatGPT in late 2022, OpenAI has faced growing demands for compute capacity both for training expansive language models and for running inference tasks.
The company recently announced its revenue run rate had hit $10 billion as of June, fueled by AI’s mainstream adoption.
In addition to deals with Oracle, SoftBank, and CoreWeave for infrastructure projects, OpenAI is also advancing on an in-house chip project to reduce its reliance on external suppliers.
For Google, this agreement extends its strategy of offering cloud services to AI companies, including former OpenAI leaders’ ventures like Anthropic.
The move highlights Google’s ambition to grow its cloud business even while balancing the competing needs of its internal AI efforts and external clients.
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