Microsoft Titans Up with OpenAI… But Will The Internet Now Be Run by Skynet?

Microsoft and OpenAI just took their partnership to the next level with a game-changing, “multibillion dollar” deal. With visions of artificial intelligence (AI) dancing in their heads, the two tech giants are now forming a closer bond. But what exactly does this mean for the tech world, and will we soon be overwhelmed by robots taking over?

What is OpenAI?

OpenAI is a non-profit AI research company, founded by tech moguls Elon Musk and Sam Altman, whose main aim is to develop AGI (or artificial general intelligence) that could benefit humanity as a whole. Since its inception, OpenAI has received massive investments from many industry heavyweights, including Microsoft.

What Does Microsoft Have To Do With OpenAI?

Microsoft is one of OpenAI’s key partnerships, and the duo have been working together on a wide range of projects. This latest deal focuses largely on Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Machine Learning (ML). The idea is to give Microsoft’s products the ability to better understand and respond to the needs of users.

What’s In It For Microsoft?

Getting its hands on cutting-edge artificial intelligence and natural language processing technologies is one of the main benefits for Microsoft, but the deal also provides access to OpenAI’s research, development and its engineering talent. Combining these resources and expertise can only mean great things for Microsoft’s AI and ML capabilities.

The Potential Challenges

While this deal is undoubtedly a great step forward for both Microsoft and OpenAI, there are some potential obstacles that could stand in the way.

• Costs: As with any major investment, money is obviously a key factor. It is estimated that this deal will reach into the multi billions of dollars, meaning Microsoft could find itself in financial difficulty if the partnership fails to deliver.
• Competition: There are a number of other companies investing in AI and ML research and development, so the competition could be fierce. Microsoft will need to stay one step ahead if it wants to remain at the forefront of AI innovation.
• Compliance: Finally, Microsoft will need to make sure it is compliant with local and international laws when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The Bottom Line

Microsoft has made a bold move by partnering up with OpenAI, but this is a risk that could pay off big in the long run. The potential for a combination of Microsoft’s platform, services and technologies with OpenAI to create an AI revolution is huge, and it’s likely we’ll see ever more intelligent and responsive products emerging in the near future. Unless, of course, the robots rise up and take over, in which case… well, let’s just hope for the best.