Key takeaways
- As Amgen switches to ChatGPT because of employee preference, the Microsoft-OpenAI relationship cools even further. Microsoft is losing this battle due to poor perception, OpenAI being the first-mover, and internal struggles. OpenAI wants its public debut, but Microsoft’s contract until 2030 makes it difficult.
Every day, there’s a new episode of the Microsoft-OpenAI drama.
In the latest installment of the tech saga, it’s being reported that biotech company Amgen has OpenAI’s ChatGPT (19459095) was chosen by the company because of employee preference. It’s been just over a year since Microsoft Copilot was purchased by the company for 20K employees.
OpenAI, which has received $14B in funding from Microsoft to date, is now eating the lunch of their biggest investor.
Copilot’s 20M users per week pale in comparison to OpenAI’s 500Min March. ChatGPT’s suite has also seen a rise. 3M paying business users were recorded in the same month as compared to 2M in February.
Why People Prefer ChatGPT vs. Copilot
While Microsoft will It seems that even though AI invested $80B this year, there is still a long way before it becomes ‘THE AI platform’. When you mention AI to someone, they’re likely to think of ChatGPT.
Although it’s anecdotal evidence, it does seem to suggest that Microsoft unwittingly designed Copilot to be OpenAI’s grande. It’s as if Satya Nadella and his team created a product perceived to be less valuable, so people chose OpenAI, believing that it would offer them more value for their money.
One of the problems could be that Copilot has a bit too much association with Microsoft. This is good because Microsoft has a strong foothold in enterprise markets. Earlier this month the The company announced 100K Barclays employees would begin using its Microsoft 365 products. The close association between AI and the company that created it may lead people to believe that it only works with Microsoft products.
Of course, this is incorrect, because it’s also available on Android and iOS. This confusion may be the reason that ChatGPT has more than 500M downloads at the Google Play Store compared to Copilot’s 10M.
Then there’s OpenAI’s first-mover advantage, largely thanks to Microsoft’s investment. Workers have been using ChatGPT at home and in the office well before Microsoft came in and introduced Copilot on their work computers. It even led a Samsung employee to ChatGPT was banned by the company after an employee accidentally leaked sensitive data through it.
When Some may argue the OpenAI’s advantage as first-mover is no longer sufficient with other alternatives available, but it still has an important lead, especially against Microsoft.
There are also Microsoft’s internal battles. There have been Reports of internal fighting as well as its ongoing struggles to deliver a competitive product, not only with OpenAI, but also with other players who have emerged in recent years such as Anthropic and Google.
The Drama Has No End in Sight
Due to all the drama surrounding both companies, Microsoft will not let go of OpenAI so easily. The former is not only a major investor but also has a lot of influence. Copilot is based on the OpenAI IP which it owns.
The Sam Altman-led organisation is now in a difficult situation. It knew it needed to expand so it partnered up with Google to provide the computing power it desperately needed. OpenAI, which is a nonprofit organization, must go public to become a for profit company in order to expand. This would require renegotiating the commercial agreement with Microsoft.
They have not yet reached an agreement, especially regarding the amount of equity Microsoft will receive if OpenAI goes public. The Redmond-based firm is said to be They are willing to accept less equityas long as OpenAI continues to give it access to future technology beyond the expiration of their contract in 2020.
The outcome of this situation remains to be seen. There is no fairytale ending for now, given how complicated the relationship between the companies has become since 2019.
As technology continues to evolve—from the return of ‘dumbphones’ to faster and sleeker computers—seasoned tech journalist, Cedric Solidon, continues to dedicate himself to writing stories that inform, empower, and connect with readers across all levels of digital literacy. Read more
With 20 years of professional writing experience, this University of the Philippines Journalism graduate has carved out a niche as a trusted voice in tech media. Whether he’s breaking down the latest advancements in cybersecurity or explaining how silicon-carbon batteries can extend your phone’s battery life, his writing remains rooted in clarity, curiosity, and utility.
Long before he was writing for Techreport, HP, Citrix, SAP, Globe Telecom, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN, Cedric’s love for technology began at home courtesy of a Nintendo Family Computer and a stack of tech magazines.
Growing up, his days were often filled with sessions of Contra, Bomberman, Red Alert 2, and the criminally underrated Crusader: No Regret. But gaming wasn’t his only gateway to tech.
He devoured every T3, PCMag, and PC Gamer issue he could get his hands on, often reading them cover to cover. It wasn’t long before he explored the early web in IRC chatrooms, online forums, and fledgling tech blogs, soaking in every byte of knowledge from the late ’90s and early 2000s internet boom.
That fascination with tech didn’t just stick. It evolved into a full-blown calling.
After graduating with a degree in Journalism, he began his writing career at the dawn of Web 2.0. What started with small editorial roles and freelance gigs soon grew into a full-fledged career.
He has since collaborated with global tech leaders, lending his voice to content that bridges technical expertise with everyday usability. He’s also written annual reports for Globe Telecom and consumer-friendly guides for VPN companies like CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, empowering readers to understand the importance of digital privacy.
His versatility spans not just tech journalism but also technical writing. He once worked with a local tech company developing web and mobile apps for logistics firms, crafting documentation and communication materials that brought together user-friendliness with deep technical understanding. That experience sharpened his ability to break down dense, often jargon-heavy material into content that speaks clearly to both developers and decision-makers.
At the heart of his work lies a simple belief: technology should feel empowering, not intimidating. Even if the likes of smartphones and AI are now commonplace, he understands that there’s still a knowledge gap, especially when it comes to hardware or the real-world benefits of new tools. His writing hopes to help close that gap.
Cedric’s writing style reflects that mission. It’s friendly without being fluffy and informative without being overwhelming. Whether writing for seasoned IT professionals or casual readers curious about the latest gadgets, he focuses on how a piece of technology can improve our lives, boost our productivity, or make our work more efficient. That human-first approach makes his content feel more like a conversation than a technical manual.
As his writing career progresses, his passion for tech journalism remains as strong as ever. With the growing need for accessible, responsible tech communication, he sees his role not just as a journalist but as a guide who helps readers navigate a digital world that’s often as confusing as it is exciting.
From reviewing the latest devices to unpacking global tech trends, Cedric isn’t just reporting on the future; he’s helping to write it. Read less
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