OpenAI's Robotics Revival, Microsoft Partnership, and the AI Boom

In this episode, we begin by discussing OpenAI's renewed focus on robotics, highlighting the rebuilding of its robotics team and developments in humanoid systems. We then feature insights from Bret Taylor on the current AI boom, drawing parallels to the dotcom era and its transformative impact. The episode also examines OpenAI's evolving financial strategy, including its partnership with Microsoft, and explores the renegotiation dynamics involving the 'AGI clause' and future AI initiatives. The conversation provides a comprehensive look at how these elements are shaping the trajectory of AI technology and OpenAI's strategic positioning in the industry.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
What if the next big leap in artificialintelligence is not in the cloud, but walking

(00:04):
right beside you?
Welcome to The OpenAI Daily Brief, your go-tofor the latest AI updates.
Today is Monday, September 15, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about OpenAI'srenewed interest in robotics.
Let’s dive in.

(00:26):
OpenAI is quietly rebuilding its robotics team,and it seems like they might be eyeing humanoid
systems.
According to Wired, the company is steppingback into the robotics arena with a focus on
creating robots that could one day change howwe interact with machines.
New job postings from OpenAI suggest they arelooking to train robots through teleoperation

(00:47):
and simulation, with an eye on developinggeneral-purpose robots.
The intrigue deepens with the hiring ofChengshu Li, a Stanford researcher known for
his work on humanoid household robots.
This move hints that OpenAI might be targetinghumanlike systems.
It’s a significant shift, considering thatOpenAI had shut down its robotics work in 2020

(01:10):
due to a lack of training data.
But now, with advancements in AI algorithmsthat better understand the physical world,
OpenAI is back in the game, posting roboticsroles as early as January this year.
This renewed focus on physical AI could mark anew chapter in how robots integrate into our

(01:31):
daily lives, potentially moving us closer tothe realization of artificial general
intelligence.
Bret Taylor, the chairman of OpenAI, is drawingsome interesting parallels between the current
artificial intelligence boom and the dotcom eraof the late '90s.
He recently shared his thoughts with The Verge,saying, "I think there are a lot of parallels

(01:53):
to the internet bubble."
Taylor points out that just like the internetrevolution, which gave rise to giants like
Amazon and Google, the artificial intelligencesector is poised to reshape the global economy
in profound ways.
But he also warns that, much like the dotcomera, this boom could lead to significant
failures alongside the success stories.

(02:16):
He elaborates that while artificialintelligence will indeed transform the economy,
we're also in a bubble where a lot of peopleare going to lose a lot of money.

It's a dual reality (02:25):
massive opportunities exist, but so do the risks of dramatic losses.
This perspective from Taylor is a reminder thatwhile the potential for artificial intelligence
is enormous, it's crucial for investors andcompanies to tread carefully.
Just as the internet era had its Pets.com andWebvan, the artificial intelligence landscape

(02:48):
could see similar stories of overhyped venturesthat fail to deliver.
Now, here's a bold move that could shake up theartificial intelligence industry.
OpenAI plans to cut its revenue share withMicrosoft and partners from twenty percent to
just eight percent by 2030.
That's a significant dip, and it's all part ofOpenAI's strategy to boost its financial

(03:10):
independence as it shifts toward a for-profitstructure.

Imagine this (03:14):
OpenAI is projecting to hit two hundred billion dollars in revenue by the end
of the decade.
That’s a staggering number, and cutting therevenue share is part of broader negotiations
following OpenAI's corporate restructuring.
The goal?
To attract more investors and pave the way foran eventual initial public offering, bolstering

(03:34):
its financial independence while maintainingkey collaborations.
Microsoft’s been a major player in OpenAI'sjourney, investing billions since 2019.
They've had a deal entitling them to twentypercent of OpenAI's revenue until certain
profitability thresholds are met.
This partnership has fueled integrations likeChatGPT’s embedding into Microsoft’s Azure

(03:57):
cloud services.
But with OpenAI's valuation recently pegged atover one hundred fifty billion dollars, they're
pushing for terms that reflect their growingclout.
Insiders say the reduction to eight percentisn’t just about cutting costs.
It’s tied to OpenAI’s forecasts of explosivegrowth.
By 2030, they anticipate sharing only asingle-digit percentage with commercial

(04:21):
partners, even as overall revenues climbdramatically.
This shift could strain but not sever thealliance, with Microsoft still poised to gain
from equity stakes and royalties.
The renegotiation highlights the evolvingdynamics in one of tech’s most influential
duos.
OpenAI’s leadership wants to waive clauses likethe 'AGI clause,' which would end Microsoft’s

(04:46):
exclusive access to advanced models uponachieving artificial general intelligence.
This could accelerate OpenAI’s path toindependence while Microsoft pivots to its own
artificial intelligence initiatives.
For Microsoft, this reduced share meansrecalibrating returns on its thirteen billion
dollar investment, potentially shifting focusto in-house artificial intelligence like

(05:09):
Copilot.
This evolution could foster a more diversifiedecosystem, where OpenAI licenses technology
more broadly, underscoring the maturingartificial intelligence industry where
partnerships must adapt to rapid scaling.
That’s it for today’s OpenAI Daily Brief.
OpenAI's strategic move to cut Microsoft’srevenue share signals a new era of financial

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independence and potential industry shifts.
Thanks for tuning in—subscribe to stay updated.
This is Bob, signing off.
Until next time.