Microsoft and OpenAI are secretly discussing the possibility of an IPO for the company behind ChatGPT. Microsoft, as one of the early investors, owns 49% of OpenAI and aims to monetize the company, which was originally founded as a non-profit. After 2030, Microsoft will no longer have rights to OpenAI's products. 'They mainly want to prevent that,' says investment specialist Justin Blekemolen of online broker LYNX.
The exact details of the discussions are unclear, but it appears to involve a restructuring of OpenAI to eventually take the company public, with an estimated value in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Sources also report to the Financial Times that Microsoft may be willing to reduce its stake in exchange for continued access to OpenAI's products after 2030.
The situation is sensitive because OpenAI's founders explicitly stated the company is a non-profit, which conflicts with an IPO. Elon Musk, one of the founders, is determined to hold the company to this and has even taken legal action.