Microsoft AI Chief Accuses OpenAI of Blocking Company’s Independent Research Efforts

In a surprising revelation, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has stated that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI once tried to “prevent” Microsoft from working on its own artificial intelligence projects. The statement, made during a recent interview at a technology summit in San Francisco, has reignited public debate about the evolving relationship between two of the world’s most influential AI companies.

Suleyman, who joined Microsoft earlier this year to lead its AI division, said that OpenAI initially imposed several restrictions that limited Microsoft’s ability to independently develop competing AI models. “There was a period when we were told not to explore certain technologies because they overlapped with OpenAI’s research,” Suleyman revealed.

Microsoft has been a major partner and investor in OpenAI since 2019, contributing billions of dollars to fund AI infrastructure and integrating OpenAI’s large language models into its products, including Copilot and Bing AI. However, recent developments suggest that the partnership has grown more complex as both companies expand their ambitions in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Industry analysts say Suleyman’s comments highlight a growing tension between collaboration and competition. While Microsoft and OpenAI have worked together closely, Microsoft has also been developing its own AI models to reduce dependence on OpenAI’s technology. “It’s clear that Microsoft wants autonomy in AI innovation,” said tech analyst Laura Chen. “At the same time, OpenAI wants to maintain its leadership in ethical AI and safety frameworks.”

OpenAI, in a brief statement, denied restricting Microsoft’s research but acknowledged that both companies have had “strategic discussions” about overlapping projects. The company emphasized that its primary focus remains on building safe and beneficial AI systems for society.

Suleyman’s comments come at a time when the global AI race is intensifying. Major players such as Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Meta, and Amazon are investing heavily in next-generation AI models, with governments around the world debating how to regulate their use.

The Microsoft executive also hinted that the company’s new direction involves greater independence from OpenAI’s technology stack. “We’re investing in our own foundational models,” Suleyman said. “We want to ensure that Microsoft’s AI reflects our values, our approach to safety, and our long-term business goals.”

Experts say this could signal a shift in the balance of power between the two tech giants. Microsoft, which already holds an exclusive license to OpenAI’s technology, may now seek to diversify its AI capabilities by building proprietary systems and expanding research teams worldwide.

The remarks have fueled speculation about the future of the Microsoft–OpenAI alliance. While both companies continue to collaborate on several projects, including AI integration into Office 365 and Azure, insiders suggest that the relationship could evolve into a more competitive one.

As AI continues to reshape industries, Suleyman’s statement underscores an emerging reality in the tech world — partnerships in artificial intelligence are as much about collaboration as they are about control.