2025 Update: Microsoft Sells OpenAI Board Seat for $461B; Apple Passes on Role at $230B
In 2025, Microsoft has exited its non-voting board position at OpenAI after eight months, while Apple declined a similar seat despite expanding its partnership with OpenAI. These moves coincide with escalating global antitrust actions targeting tech giants.
Highlights
- Microsoft relinquished its non-voting OpenAI board seat just eight months after acquiring it in late 2023.
- Apple chose not to accept a comparable board observer role despite deepening collaboration with OpenAI announced at WWDC 2024.
- These strategic shifts occur amid intensified antitrust scrutiny from U.S. and international regulators against major technology companies.
Microsoft (MSFT) recently stepped away from its advisory board seat at ChatGPT creator OpenAI less than a year after joining. Meanwhile, Apple (AAPL) declined a similar opportunity, even as it integrates advanced AI features powered by OpenAI into its latest devices and operating systems.
According to reports from The Financial Times and Bloomberg, these decisions come as regulatory bodies worldwide increase pressure on dominant tech firms over concerns about monopolistic influence.
Microsoft Exits Board After Significant AI Progress
Microsoft initially joined OpenAI’s board in November 2023 amid leadership turbulence when CEO Sam Altman was briefly dismissed and reinstated. In a letter to OpenAI, Microsoft expressed confidence in the company’s recent achievements, stating substantial progress over the past eight months has rendered its advisory board presence unnecessary.
Apple, having unveiled a new partnership with OpenAI at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, opted against a non-voting board seat. OpenAI confirmed plans to maintain regular communications with partners like Apple and Microsoft to ensure ongoing collaboration.
Growing Antitrust Actions Against Tech Giants
The choices by Microsoft and Apple occur amid heightened scrutiny from federal regulators. The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have launched lawsuits accusing Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet of anti-competitive practices.
Internationally, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, effective early 2024, challenges various business practices of these companies, exposing them to significant penalties for violations.
Regulators are also investigating AI-related investments and hiring strategies at Microsoft and Google, assessing whether such moves confer unfair competitive advantages in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
As of early trading on Wednesday, Microsoft shares rose approximately 0.4% to $461.27, while Apple shares increased by 0.4% to $229.68.
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