Microsoft CEO calls OpenAI partnership ‘pro-competition’ amid UK, EU merger probes

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he also discussed surpassing Apple in global market cap.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gave pundits plenty to discuss during talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 16, but some of his most interesting comments may have come while speaking to reporters on the sidelines about OpenAI.

The Redmond company, under Nadella’s leadership, has invested at least $13 billion in OpenAI over the past few years and has recently taken a silent seat on the AI firm’s board.

This partnership has come under scrutiny in the United Kingdom and the European Union, with antitrust regulators from both weighing official merger probes.

As reported by Tech Xplore, Nadella recently spoke up on the subject while talking to reporters on the sidelines at Davos:

“If we want competition in AI against some of the players who are completely already integrated, I think partnerships is one avenue of, in fact, having competition.”

He went on to state that it was his assumption that regulators would question whether the partnership was good for competition, adding, “For me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Nadella also spoke out about Microsoft surpassing Apple recently to become the most valuable company in the world. He appeared undaunted by the company’s success and focused on the future.

Per a video posted on Bloomberg:

“So, the last thing you want to do is to fixate on the stock price, which we know means nothing in terms of what happens tomorrow.”

Microsoft’s ascension has been accompanied by record-high stock prices amid its successful partnership with ChatGPT and integration of new AI products and services.

The Redmond company has used GPT technology built in collaboration with OpenAI to develop its own suite of Copilot tools. Copilot features similar functionality to ChatGPT products and services while also providing optional support for Microsoft products such as Office and 365.

Related: Microsoft launches Copilot Pro with custom GPTs and Office integration