OpenAI Reveals Lucrative Revenue Share with Microsoft

Leaked documents have shed new light on the financial relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft, revealing significant revenue share payments made by the AI startup to its tech giant partner. According to the leaked documents, obtained by tech blogger Ed Zitron, Microsoft received 493.8 million in revenue share payments from OpenAI in 2024. This number jumped to 865.8 million in the first three quarters of 2025, a substantial increase of 75% year-over-year. The payments are part of a deal where Microsoft invested over 13 billion in OpenAI, with the AI startup reportedly sharing 20% of its revenue with the software giant. However, the deal is not a one-way street, as Microsoft also shares revenue with OpenAI, kicking back about 20% of the revenues from Bing and Azure OpenAI Service. This cross-revenue sharing arrangement is a key aspect of the partnership, which has enabled OpenAI to scale its business and Microsoft to tap into the rapidly growing AI market. The leaked payments refer to Microsoft's net revenue, which means that the figures are after Microsoft's own costs and expenses have been deducted. This is an important distinction, as it highlights the significant revenue generated by OpenAI's AI models and services. The partnership has been instrumental in driving the growth of OpenAI's business, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years. The market impact of the OpenAI-Microsoft partnership cannot be overstated. The deal has helped to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across various industries, from healthcare and finance to education and transportation. The partnership has also enabled Microsoft to strengthen its position in the cloud computing market, where OpenAI's AI models and services are integrated with Microsoft's Azure platform. OpenAI, founded in 2015 by Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and others, has emerged as a leading player in the AI market. The company's AI models, such as GPT-3, have been widely adopted by developers and businesses, and its services, including the Azure OpenAI Service, have become a key component of Microsoft's cloud computing strategy. The partnership has also enabled OpenAI to tap into Microsoft's vast resources and expertise, which has helped to accelerate the development of its AI technologies. Looking ahead, the implications of the OpenAI-Microsoft partnership are far-reaching. The deal has set a new benchmark for the value of AI technologies in the market, and it has highlighted the potential for cross-industry partnerships to drive innovation and growth. As the AI market continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more partnerships and collaborations between tech giants and AI startups, which will help to drive the adoption of AI technologies across various industries. In conclusion, the leaked documents have provided a rare glimpse into the financial relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft, revealing significant revenue share payments made by the AI startup to its tech giant partner. The partnership has been instrumental in driving the growth of OpenAI's business and has helped to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies across various industries. As the AI market continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more partnerships and collaborations between tech giants and AI startups, which will help to drive innovation and growth.