Part 5/10:
The Surprising Rise of OpenAI
November 2022 marked a turning point when ChatGPT launched rather accidentally. Originally driven by employees’ concerns about competitors like Anthropic testing similar models, ChatGPT quickly became an overnight sensation, surpassing Microsoft’s own AI products in popularity and user engagement.
This sharp rise repositioned OpenAI from a partner to a rival—a master that was outgrowing its benefactor. By March 2023, OpenAI and Microsoft were competing head-to-head in the enterprise AI market, with both offering similar tools to business clients. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to emphasize Azure’s security, OpenAI secured deals with competitors across various sectors, including Salesforce and financial services.