(Matthew Du, NewsUSA Reporter)
- Microsoft and OpenAI are facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly using web scraping techniques to collect private data from millions without their consent. The controversy follows their billion-dollar collaboration and a previous lawsuit involving OpenAI’s purported leak of ChatGPT user dat. Microsoft had initially promoted Azure ChatGPT as a private alternative but has since withdrawn support as they remove it from GitHub.
Despite initial synergy in their partnership, with OpenAI providing models for Microsoft’s services and Microsoft handlgin cloud costs via Azure, concerns over OpenAI’s data security and financial losses have reportedly made Microsoft wary of their partnership. The company is now focusing on rebuilding enterprise trust and shifting brand emphasis to Azure.
Microsoft's ventures like AI software Copilot and partnerships with Databricks and Meta's Llama 2 suggest potential competition with OpenAI. However, Forrester senior analyst Rowan Curran believes Microsoft's initial investment in OpenAI was strategic, aiming to enhance Azure with advanced technology. Despite profitability questions, OpenAI's role as a tech enabler for Microsoft remains crucial, reflecting the complex dynamics of tech partnerships.
