Microsoft AI chief says company was “set free” from OpenAI to pursue superintelligence

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman said a contract change with OpenAI around six months ago gave Microsoft formal freedom to pursue superintelligence internally. The company also unveiled seven in-house MAI models covering reasoning, coding, image generation, transcription, and voice synthesis, signaling a broader first-party AI push.

Microsoft appears to be reducing strategic dependence on OpenAI while preserving the partnership that powered its early AI lead. The move reflects a wider trend among major tech platforms: owning more of the AI stack to control costs, differentiation, and long-term product direction.