Amid growing demand for computing capacity, OpenAI lists Google as cloud partner

OpenAI has included Alphabet’s Google Cloud among its suppliers to meet escalating demands for computing capacity. The artificial-intelligence giant also relies on services from Microsoft, Oracle, and CoreWeave. The deal with Google, finalized in May after months of discussions, was first reported in June. The arrangement underscores OpenAI’s latest move to diversify its compute sources beyond its major supporter Microsoft, including its high-profile Stargate data center project.

Previously, until January, Microsoft Azure cloud was the only data center provider for OpenAI until January. The partnership with Google is an early step in OpenAI's strategy to widen its supporters and reduce dependence on any one provider.

While conversations had been ongoing with Google for months, OpenAI was contractually obligated to work exclusively with Microsoft, which was a delay issue. Now, since that problem has been resolved, the Google contract demonstrates the fast-paced race for AI infrastructure as well as the industry's desire to lock in the computing power necessary for future innovation.

The shift comes on the heels of other major initiatives, such as OpenAI’s partnership with SoftBank to collaborate with Oracle on a $500 billion infrastructure project called Stargate and deals with CoreWeave for multiple billions of dollars to scale compute capacity.