This article is part of our series that explores the business of artificial intelligence
OpenAI has just released a new ChatGPT app for Windows users, which will allow users to summon the LLM by pressing Alt+Space. The app is similar to the one OpenAI released a few months ago for macOS, though it is only available to paid subscribers on Windows. But with Microsoft being the main financial backer of OpenAI, why did it take them so long to release a Windows desktop app?
One idea that was suggested in May was that OpenAI has more users in the Apple ecosystem, which is why they prioritized macOS over Windows. That would make sense—if it didn’t take them five months to release the Windows app.
Another explanation, which I suggested at the time, was that Microsoft would be against a native ChatGPT app for Windows because it was building its own AI branding around its Copilot and Copilot+ PC products. The idea was that with Copilot, Microsoft could hedge its bets and become independent of OpenAI by using different models behind its AI assistant.
However, the first impressions of Microsoft Copilot+ PCs have not been very positive (to put it mildly), and many users are ending up using the browser-based ChatGPT instead of the native Copilot assistant.
At the same time, rumors are indicating that the amicable partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft might be coming to an end as the AI lab pushes toward becoming a full for-profit company. This will make it more urgent for OpenAI to reduce its dependence on Microsoft. Added to that is the problem of creating a profitable business around ChatGPT and other frontier models OpenAI is releasing.
Despite raising $6.6 billion at a $157 billion valuation, OpenAI is still losing money and needs a way to raise its revenues. Removing the friction of having to go to the browser can make the user experience much more pleasant and encourage more users to subscribe to the paid version of ChatGPT.
It remains to be seen how successful the move will be and how Microsoft will respond as the ChatGPT app for Windows will undercut Copilot. But it goes to show that the OpenAI team does not shy away from causing adversity, even if it has to be with its quasi-owner.