OpenAI Expands Cloud Strategy: Taps Google Cloud to Power ChatGPT Amid Soaring Demand
OpenAI announced on Wednesday that it will begin leveraging Google Cloud infrastructure to support its widely used AI assistant, ChatGPT.
This move reflects OpenAI’s increasing need for computing power as demand continues to surge. While the company initially depended solely on Microsoft for its cloud infrastructure, it has since broadened its partnerships. Microsoft had even classified OpenAI as a competitor last year, signaling a shift in their relationship.
OpenAI now lists Google alongside other cloud providers including Microsoft, CoreWeave, and Oracle, for operating ChatGPT and its API services.
The decision marks a significant win for Google Cloud, which trails behind industry leaders like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in market share. Google already provides infrastructure to Anthropic, another major AI company formed by ex-OpenAI executives.
According to OpenAI, the Google Cloud infrastructure will support ChatGPT in regions including the U.S., Japan, Netherlands, Norway, and the U.K. This follows earlier moves such as a multi-year, nearly $12 billion deal with CoreWeave and a partnership with Oracle that integrates Microsoft Azure AI into Oracle’s cloud.
In January, Microsoft adjusted its agreement with OpenAI to a “right of first refusal” model, rather than maintaining exclusivity. However, Microsoft still holds exclusive rights to OpenAI’s programming interfaces.
Facing significant GPU shortages earlier this year, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman made a public call for access to large volumes of GPU power. In June, reports surfaced that OpenAI was finalizing plans to incorporate Google’s cloud resources to relieve its capacity constraints.
