OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is accelerating its expansion into the global artificial intelligence (AI) market for corporations. This analysis indicates that it is deepening tensions with its largest investor, Microsoft (MS).
According to a CNBC report on the 31st (local time), OpenAI recently opened new offices in Brazil, Australia, and India to respond to local corporate customers. In line with growing corporate demand, it has significantly increased its dedicated workforce from 50 to over 700 in the past 18 months, which includes sales representatives and customer support developers.
Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's Chief Operating Officer (COO), noted, "Interest from corporations has surged since the launch of GPT-4 and ChatGPT Enterprise," explaining that companies such as the pharmaceutical firm Moderna, ride-hailing service Uber, and investment bank Morgan Stanley are utilizing OpenAI models for data analysis and service expansion.
OpenAI is adopting a strategy where engineers work directly with corporate partners to ensure the resolution of actual business problems, rather than using traditional sales methods.
However, these moves are provoking subtle conflicts with MS. While MS has been attracting corporate customers by combining OpenAI models with its cloud services, the more OpenAI expands the sale of AI models for corporations independently, the more inevitable conflicts of interest between the two companies become.
Lightcap, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of OpenAI, stated, "The opportunities in the AI market for corporations are vast, making competition unavoidable," adding, "OpenAI prioritizes the quality and reliability of its models, as well as collaboration with customers."