OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research organization, is forecasting a significant shift in its computing power dependence over the next five years. According to a report by The Information, OpenAI expects to derive three-quarters of its data center capacity from SoftBank, one of its newest financial backers, by 2030.

This marks a substantial shift away from Microsoft, which currently fulfills most of OpenAI's power needs. Microsoft is also OpenAI's largest shareholder, making this transition even more notable. The change is not expected to happen overnight, with OpenAI still planning to increase its spending on Microsoft-owned data centers in the next few years.

The shift towards SoftBank is likely driven by OpenAI's rapidly growing computing needs. The organization is reportedly expecting to burn through $20 billion in cash by 2027, a significant increase from the $5 billion it burned through in 2024. This increased expenditure is largely due to the growing costs of running AI models, also known as inference, which is expected to outpace the costs of training AI models by 2030.

This development has significant implications for the AI industry as a whole. OpenAI's shift towards SoftBank may signal a growing trend towards diversification of computing power sources, as AI models become increasingly complex and demanding. It also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and investments in the AI space, as companies like SoftBank and Microsoft jostle for position in the rapidly evolving market.

For Microsoft, the loss of OpenAI's business may be a significant blow, particularly given its current dominance in the AI computing space. However, the company is likely to continue playing a significant role in OpenAI's operations, at least in the short term. The exact nature of their future partnership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the AI landscape is rapidly shifting, and companies must adapt quickly to stay ahead of the curve.

In conclusion, OpenAI's shift towards SoftBank marks a significant turning point in the AI industry. As the organization continues to push the boundaries of AI research and development, its computing power needs will only continue to grow. The question on everyone's mind is: what's next for OpenAI, Microsoft, and SoftBank in this rapidly evolving landscape?