Asger Risom
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has reached a new $500 billion valuation after restructuring its partnership with Microsoft—surpassing every European company by market value.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has reached a new $500 billion valuation after restructuring its partnership with Microsoft—surpassing every European company by market value.
A historic deal with Microsoft
Microsoft and OpenAI have signed an agreement allowing OpenAI to reorganize as a public interest corporation, giving it more commercial freedom and independence.
From startup to global powerhouse
The new structure values OpenAI at $500 billion, making it worth more than European giants like ASML, LVMH, SAP, and Hermès.
Microsoft’s massive stake
Microsoft retains a 27% share—worth around $135 billion—after investing $13.8 billion since 2019. The company’s stock rose 2.5% following the announcement.
The end of old restrictions
Until now, OpenAI’s 2019 agreement limited its ability to raise outside funding or sign new cloud contracts, tying it closely to Microsoft’s services.
Freedom to grow
By becoming a public interest corporation, OpenAI gains more flexibility in its business operations while remaining under the control of the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation.
The world’s most popular AI
ChatGPT now has more than 700 million weekly users, cementing its role as the most recognized AI tool worldwide.
Still bound together
Despite the reorganization, the two companies remain deeply interconnected through a cloud contract that runs until at least 2032.
A milestone for investors
Microsoft’s partnership has proven extraordinarily lucrative—its initial investment has grown nearly tenfold in value.
Guardrails for future AI
An independent committee will oversee any claims that OpenAI achieves artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a condition that was previously part of the 2019 deal.
Transparency and oversight
Experts warn that while the structure improves accountability, OpenAI still faces scrutiny over safety, transparency, and data use.
A new chapter for artificial intelligence
With the deal finalized, OpenAI now has both the capital and freedom to pursue AGI—an ambition that could redefine the global tech landscape.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, who may have used AI in the preparation
