Microsoft Builds Its Own AI Stack To Cut OpenAI Dependence

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Microsoft announced a sweeping shift in strategy at its Build 2026 conference, unveiling seven proprietary AI models alongside custom Cobalt 200 silicon and the Majorana 2 quantum chip. The moves signal a deliberate pivot away from reliance on OpenAI, the startup it has poured billions into funding. By building its own foundational models and hardware, Microsoft aims to control more of its AI destiny, from chips to software, rather than depending on a partner whose goals may diverge from its own. The announcements underscore a broader industry trend: major tech players racing to own their entire AI stack.