I dunno, I think they like the plausible deniability and monopoly regulation shielding that comes from investing in but not owning OpenAI. I think they’ll absolutely find ways to exert more and more control, and once there are reasonable competitors they might snap it up, but for the time being they probably find the distance beneficial.
Comment on OpenAI employees really, really did not want to go work for Microsoft
echo64@lemmy.world 11 months ago
well you have about 4-6 years to find another job then, like it or not, OpenAI is going to be owned by Microsoft
ilinamorato@lemmy.world 11 months ago
echo64@lemmy.world 11 months ago
There is no benefit to microsoft to have distance, they want to own it. Owning it creates shareholder value which is all Microsoft care about. If they wanted to make products using it, they could pay for it like everyone else.
But they chose to make moves and exert control. They know they can’t own it today because of the complex arrangement of openai. they know they can own it outright tomorrow with enough small changes (like getting on the board for one)
demonquark@lemmy.world 11 months ago
Totally agree. Microsoft has invested way too much in openAI to have a repeat of the Sam Altman debacle. They will formalize their control of te company. And Altman has already shown that in conflict between the board and MS, he’s on Microsoft’s side.
Also, any openAI developer who thinks that openAI currently is an independent company is kidding themselves. Microsoft is effectively already calling the shots, al be it in a roundabout way.
HeartyBeast@kbin.social 11 months ago