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answer: direct
beat: ai-industry
source: 1 article · updated: July 3, 2026
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Why does OpenAI depend so heavily on Microsoft?

Leaked figures reportedly show OpenAI paid Microsoft around $17.2 billion for compute and operational infrastructure in a single period. Because OpenAI doesn't own its own large-scale data centers, its entire product — from ChatGPT to the API — runs on a single vendor's hardware and goodwill.

Answered in

OpenAI’s $1 Trillion Bullsh*t Is Falling Apart

Leaked financials reportedly show OpenAI losing over a dollar for every dollar earned. Here's why the trillion-dollar story doesn't add up.

Crashtech Editorial July 3, 2026 AI Business & Money

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