Microsoft Cuts AI Costs by Replacing OpenAI, Anthropic Models With Own MAI
Microsoft's move from partner to competitor in AI models signals a broader industry trend where tech giants prioritize in-house development over third-party licensing to control costs and strategic direction.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Microsoft is actively replacing third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic with its own MAI models in apps like Excel and Word to reduce costs and dependence. The shift follows the termination of its exclusive OpenAI contract and the formation of its own AI research team. Other major companies including Amazon, Uber, Meta, and Accenture are adopting similar cost-cutting measures.
Microsoft has begun swapping out AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic for its own MAI models in popular software such as Excel and Word, according to a Bloomberg report. The company previously advertised that much of Microsoft 365 relied on third-party AI. Now it is actively transitioning to its own model, MAI, while still using outside models in some areas.
The shift follows Microsoft's termination of its exclusive contract with OpenAI in April 2026 and the formation of the MAI Superintelligence Team to develop its own AI. Microsoft has also announced several in-house models, including MAI-Thinking-1 and MAI-Image-2.5.
TechCrunch reports that Amazon, Uber, Meta, and Accenture are pursuing similar cost-cutting strategies by relying more on their own AI models.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.