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Mint
15 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Microsoft and OpenAI forged a close bond. Why it's now too big to last.
Once tied at the hip, Microsoft and OpenAI increasingly look like rivals seeking an amicable divorce. But like all separations, it could get messy, and this past week OpenAI indicated it's willing to get down in the mud. When Microsoft and OpenAI first got together in 2019, the most powerful artificial intelligence in the world was literally playing games. AlphaGo from Google's DeepMind lab was the first machine to beat human Go champions, but that's all it did. AI as we know it now was still in its research phase. Venture capital's focus was on cloud and cryptocurrency start-ups, but Microsoft saw something in the nonprofit AI lab called OpenAI, which had just come off a bruising leadership battle that saw Sam Altman prevail over Elon Musk. Without Musk's billions of dollars, OpenAI changed to a bespoke structure in which a for-profit AI lab is controlled by a nonprofit board. Investors' returns were capped at 100 times their stake. The reorganization cleared the way for Microsoft to invest $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019. Those funds fueled the release of ChatGPT in November 2022—the spark to the AI prairie fire that is still spreading. Soon thereafter, Microsoft invested another $10 billion, which supported OpenAI's rapid expansion. Since then, the bills have added up, given the high cost of scaling AI. At first the two companies were symbiotic. All of OpenAI's AI computing is done on Microsoft's Azure cloud. Microsoft has access to all of OpenAI's intellectual property, including its catalog of models that underpin a range of AI services Microsoft offers with its Copilot products. When the OpenAI nonprofit board ousted Altman in a November 2023 coup, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella backed Altman, a key endorsement that helped restore his post. But the partnership that made so much sense from 2019 to 2023 has now made each company too dependent on the other. OpenAI has large ambitions, and Sam Altman believes it will need unprecedented computing power to get there, more than Microsoft can provide. He would also like more control over the data-center buildout. Altman's company also has increasingly go-it alone ambitions—it says subscriptions and licenses to ChatGPT are on track to bring in $10 billion a year. For its part, Microsoft now relies on OpenAI as both a major customer and supplier. That's the kind of concentration risk that should make Microsoft executives nervous. 'OpenAI has become a significant new competitor in the technology industry," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a February 2024 blog post. This was the first public indication that the relationship may not have been as cozy as some supposed. Microsoft began working on its own AI models that year, and in October 2024, it declined to participate in a $6.6 billion OpenAI funding round. In January, Microsoft and OpenAI modified their agreement so that Microsoft would no longer be OpenAI's exclusive cloud provider, but would retain right-of-first-refusal for all new business. Microsoft hasn't been exercising that right to any large degree—OpenAI subsequently signed new cloud deals with CoreWeave and Alphabet's Google Cloud, two Microsoft competitors. The same January day as the deal modification, Altman stood in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, and SoftBank Group CEO Masa Son to announce Project Stargate, an ambitious plan to raise $500 billion for a massive cluster of AI data centers controlled by Altman. The partnership and high-profile event made clear that OpenAI had new friends and had moved beyond its Microsoft reliance. The partnership on display in the Oval Office led to a $40 billion March funding round, led by SoftBank. But it came with a string attached: $20 billion of it is contingent on OpenAI doing another reorganization into a public-benefit corporation by the end of the year, which would give SoftBank and other new investors more conventional investor rights. But there are key hurdles in the way of that restructuring and the $20 billion, including a lawsuit from Elon Musk and regulatory approvals from California, Delaware, and the federal government. But the biggest obstruction is that Microsoft has a large stake in the current OpenAI. To convert corporate structures, OpenAI will have to negotiate new terms, and in a ticking-clock scenario like this, Microsoft has all the leverage, which grows each day. According to The Wall Street Journal, negotiations are getting testy. The main point of contention is how much of the new OpenAI Microsoft will own. But there is also the matter of OpenAI's acquisition of an advanced AI coding tool, Windsurf. Under their current arrangement, Microsoft has access to all of OpenAI's IP, and that would include Windsurf. But OpenAI doesn't want this, because Microsoft has its own coding assistant, GitHub Copilot, and this puts the companies on another axis of competition. In a joint statement, Microsoft and OpenAI told Barron's: 'We have a long-term, productive partnership that has delivered amazing AI tools for everyone. Talks are ongoing and we are optimistic we will continue to build together for years to come." According to the Journal, OpenAI thinks it could deter Microsoft from dragging out negotiations by keeping open the possibility of publicly accusing Microsoft of antitrust violations and lobbying the White House to open an investigation. Since the Stargate announcement, Altman has had a close relationship with Trump. In this regard, the Journal article is a message from OpenAI: We aren't powerless here. This is how the divorce could get ugly. Microsoft could slow-walk the talks, and as the end of the year approaches, the pressure would grow on OpenAI to settle, or lose $20 billion in funding. OpenAI, meanwhile, could start pushing on its White House levers to encourage some type of Microsoft investigation—what the WSJ called its 'nuclear option." But like any nuclear exchange, no one would emerge victorious. Microsoft would be tarred, and OpenAI would still miss its $20 billion deadline. Since the launch of ChatGPT, AI in the U.S. has been dominated by the Microsoft-OpenAI alliance. The now inevitable breakup has everyone scrambling to fill the void. Write to Adam Levine at
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Joseph and the Amazing Encore Season
Cape Town has been abuzz with the contemporary reinvention of a classic musical, but if you missed your chance the first time around, don't lose sleep singing ' Close Every Door ': Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is returning to Cape Town! Following a sold-out run at the Theatre on the Bay, this audacious, vibrant, and extravagant musical will make a return for an encore season from 4 October 2025, offering fans another opportunity to experience one of the most beloved shows in the world of musical theatre. Since opening in May 2025, the vibrant production by Pieter Toerien and LAMTA (Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy) has quickly become the must-see ticket in Cape Town. Audiences have been wowed by eight shows a week, with rave reviews and standing ovations keeping the house full night after night. The current sold-out run concludes on 13 July, but don't worry, the all-star cast will be back! Drawing on the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colours, the show features unforgettable hits by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, such as " Any Dream Will Do," " Go, Go, Go Joseph," and "Jacob and Sons." This vibrant technicolor production stars Dylan Janse van Rensburg as Joseph, Lelo Ramasimong as the Narrator, and Chris Jaftha as Pharaoh, with dynamic direction from Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander, alongside musical direction by Amy Campbell. Tickets for the October return start at R175 and are now available through Webtickets
American Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- American Press
Westenburg earns Gold Glove
Conner Westenburg became the second player in McNeese history to earn a Gold Glove. (Kirk Meche/Special to the American Press) Before the season, Conner Westenburg picked out a brand new glove for his final year. Surprisingly, to all, he picked the color pink. 'I got a little heat for it,' said Westenburg. 'My dad asked if it was for a gender reveal.' The senior centerfielder had a simple response to those who joked about it: 'I told them I planned on getting a different color at the end of the year.' True to his word, Westenburg got his prize color on Wednesday when Rawlings handed out their postseason college honors. Westenburg was named just the second McNeese State player to earn a spot on the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Gold Glove team. He joins Carson Maxwell, who was named to the 2019 team as a third baseman. 'I would go look at his glove and say to myself, I wanted one of those all the time,' said Westenburg. 'I feel very honored to have been named to the team. It is a great honor and was a goal of mine.' Westenburg joins Vanderbilt's RJ Austin and UConn's Caleb Shpur in the outfield. He is just the fifth Gold Glove winner in Southland Conference history. 'Conner is one of the best centerfielders I've ever seen, and I have had the pleasure to see it every day,' said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. 'He is so deserving of this, and I'm so happy for him to be recognized as the best in the country.' The news on Wednesday came as a surprise to Westenburg, who still works out in hopes of playing professionally down the road. 'I didn't expect to get it,' Westenburg said. 'There are so many good players out there, you just never know. Then, when I saw I was a finalist, I started to think maybe.' Westenburg had a good year offensively, but was huge for the Cowboys as a defender. He was named to the All-SLC first team and the All-Defensive squad in May. However, to be named one of the best defenders in the country puts the perfect finishing touch to his Cowboy career. 'I have always been a good defender, but I have always worked really hard at it,' said Westenburg. 'I take a lot of pride in playing defense. 'Even if you are having a bad day at the plate, you can still help your team win with big defensive plays and saving runs.' With 134 chances on the year, Westenburg recorded 123 put-outs with only two errors as he compiled a .985 fielding percentage. He also ran down balls in both gaps. 'If it was hit near me, I wanted to do everything I could to make the catch,' said Westenburg. 'Defense is really all about work and effort. You can't control hitting all the time, but you can control defense.' As a hitter, he hit .332 on the season with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. Of those seven homers, three came leading off games, setting another school record. He hit nine triples to rank second in the NCAA, nine doubles, and led the Southland Conference with 27 stolen bases. 'One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to win a Gold Glove,' Westenburg said. 'I didn't see a lot of action my first two years here, but when I got the opportunity, I got out and made the best of it.' And he can now retire that pink glove and replace it with the golden one.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Green Bay police investigating politically motivated graffiti on local businesses
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Several businesses in Green Bay returned to the workweek to find graffiti on their buildings, with messages appearing to be politically motivated. The affected businesses are located at the corner of Oneida Street and Mason Street. The graffiti included messages such as 'Go Trump,' prompting concern among community members. Green Bay police respond to viral video of arrest at Bay Beach Amusement Park Local 5 News received a tip from a citizen who believes the vandalism may be connected to this weekend's No Kings Protests. 'Now that's advertising for somebody else in the years to come to add to it,' said the concerned citizen. 'This is Green Bay. Do we want that in our community?' Authorities seek information after vandalism at Sidie Hollow Park in Wisconsin The Green Bay Police Department confirmed they are aware of the incident and are actively investigating. No additional details have been released at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
AFP
4 days ago
- Politics
- AFP
Inaccurate claims about Philippine juvenile justice law surface online
"Go Kiko! Thanks to RA 9344, all 18 years old and below are protected against criminal liabilities only discernment (sic), they can kill, use drugs and they won't be held accountable by the LAW," reads a Facebook post published May 22, 2025. "You could be stabbed by a child in Tondo or Mandaluyong, and they can't be jailed. THANK YOU, Senator KIKO! Because of you, all minors are protected from prosecution." The post refers to Senator Francis Pangilinan and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344), which he authored (archived link). It also references the 2021 murder of the Maguad siblings in Cotabato, where 18-year-old Gwynn and 16-year-old Louis were stabbed to death by their 17-year-old adopted sister (archived link). The suspect initially posed as a survivor before later admitting she committed the crime with a friend, also a minor. The post appears to suggest the suspects were not fully held accountable due to their age, framing the law as overly lenient toward youth offenders. "The suspects should be imprisoned for life. The justice system in the Philippines really is something," reads the caption. Image Screenshot of false post taken June 7, 2025 After his failed 2022 vice presidential bid, Pangilinan made a political comeback as an independent senatorial candidate in the May 12 midterm elections, which saw disappointing results for President Ferdinand Marcos's party (archived link). If Vice President Sara impeachment trial extends into the next Congress, Pangilinan will join in the case against his former opponent and Marcos's former ally turned political rival, who could be permanently barred from public office if convicted. The claim spread widely across social media, triggering reactions from users who believed the law grants blanket immunity to juvenile offenders. "I will never vote for him," one user said. Another commented: "Hopefully this law gets repealed. Because of this law minors can easily commit crimes." But legal experts told AFP the claims misrepresent the scope of the . 'Not automatically exempt' The Juvenile Justice and Welfare System, established under a 2006 law sponsored by Pangilinan and amended in 2013, outlines specific provisions for holding minors accountable depending on their age and whether they acted with (archived link). "The law clearly establishes that minors are not automatically exempt from criminal liability," , told AFP on May 30 (archived link). Citing section 3, Villarin explained that children 15 and below are exempt from criminal liability under all circumstances but remain civilly liable and subject to intervention programs depending on the offence. Meanwhile, "children above 15 but below 18 may be held criminally liable if they are proven to have acted with discernment, especially when the crime is punishable by more than 12 years of imprisonment, or if diversion is not appropriate or unsuccessful," she said. , also told AFP on June 5 that the post "misrepresents both the intent and actual provisions of the law" (archived link). He said the law had improved the juvenile justice system by creating ways to handle repeat and serious offences, including placing children who commit heinous crimes in intensive rehabilitation, while ensuring accountability matches their age and capacity for reform. "It's important to note that this was never about excusing wrongdoing -- it's about making sure children are held accountable in a way that reflects their age, capacity and potential for reform," he said, noting that before the law was passed, children as young as nine were jailed as adults, exposing them to abuse, criminal influence and trauma. Abitria said the Maguad siblings' case is a "powerful and painful example that accountability is very much possible" under the law. "Two minors were found to have acted with discernment -- that is, the court was convinced they understood the nature and consequences of their actions. As a result, they were tried, found guilty and sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment," he said. Philippine news outlet reported in May 2022 that the court denied parole for both minors and that they were placed in the custody of the social welfare and development agency upon conviction (archived link). The law mandates that children be placed in youth care facilities offering intensive intervention programs for serious or repeat offenders before being transferred to an adult correctional facility after turning . AFP has debunked more misinformation on the Philippine midterm elections here.
