Microsoft develops independent AI model MAI to challenge OpenAI

Media reports said that since Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft's internal AI department, took over Microsoft's AI business, the company's relationship with the OpenAI has experienced volatility. According to people familiar with the matter, Suleyman and OpenAI management had a dispute over different views on the reasoning process of the "chain of thinking" in a video conference last year, which eventually led to the meeting ending early.

In order to reduce dependence on OpenAI, Suleyman has formed a research team focused on developing autonomous AI models MAI. The team has now started testing the MAI model in Microsoft Copi lot products, hoping to replace OpenAI's model with this self-developed technology. In addition, Microsoft plans to launch MAI's API later this year, when external developers can integrate Microsoft's AI models into their own applications. This move will allow Microsoft to compete directly with OpenAI and other AI labs in the API market.

Meanwhile, Suleyman's team is also testing AI models from some OpenAI competitors to further diversify risks. Microsoft is currently trying to use Anthropic, Musk's xAI model, DeepSeek and open source models provided by Meta to maintain diversity in the AI ​​field.

Although the Microsoft AI team has made some progress in MAI research and development, Suleyman pointed out in an interview that Microsoft's AI business still faces many challenges. The training of the MAI model took nearly a year, and it experienced many technical obstacles and strategic adjustments during this period. Some senior executives even resigned because they did not agree with Suleyman's management and technical route.

On the other hand, OpenAI is rapidly advancing the training and release of its new models, and its technological progress is significantly faster than Microsoft. It is worth noting that Microsoft has invested more than $13 billion in OpenAI in exchange for part of its revenue share and obtain the right to use OpenAI technology. In the future, whether Microsoft can get rid of its dependence on OpenAI and successfully establish a competitive AI ecosystem will not be revealed until the MAI model is officially implemented.