Microsoft to add Anthropic AI models as rift with OpenAI grows: report

Microsoft is preparing to overhaul its Office 365 suite by adding artificial intelligence models from Anthropic — the latest sign of a growing rift with OpenAI, according to a report.The software giant will pay to use Anthropic’s Claude models for some Office 365 Copilot features, according to two people involved in the project cited by The Information.The decision follows internal testing that found Anthropic’s models outperformed OpenAI’s in generating PowerPoint decks and handling complex Excel functions.The change blends Anthropic and OpenAI technology inside Microsoft’s most important business software, which serves more than 430 million paying users worldwide, according to The Information.OpenAI’s flagship GPT-5 remains in use for several Copilot tasks, but Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet 4 will take over advanced work like spreadsheet automation and presentation design.The move comes as Microsoft and OpenAI continue tense negotiations over OpenAI’s restructuring into a for-profit company ahead of an eventual public listing, The Information reported.OpenAI’s plan to restructure into a public benefit corporation has triggered tough negotiations with Microsoft, its largest backer, over how much equity Microsoft will hold and what level of privileged access it will retain to future AI models.The drawn-out talks, along with regulatory scrutiny in California, have delayed OpenAI’s IPO until at least 2026, complicating liquidity plans for investors and employees.Investors including SoftBank are pressing for resolution, while OpenAI’s nonprofit parent insists it will maintain control to ensure its mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity remains central.OpenAI declined to comment when reached by The Information.Anthropic and Amazon Web Services, which hosts Anthropic’s models, also did not respond to The Information’s requests for comment.A Microsoft spokesperson told The Information: “OpenAI will continue to be our partner on front...