Why is Microsoft criticizing OpenAI and Anthropic?

Microsoft aims to promote its in-house AI models and reduce reliance on partners. Criticizing competitors helps justify the shift to internal solutions, particularly in the enterprise segment.

What advantages does Microsoft highlight in its AI models?

The company emphasizes speed, accuracy, security, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel.

How have Microsoft’s relations with OpenAI changed?

Microsoft previously had exclusive access to OpenAI’s models, but the partnership became non-exclusive in April, allowing OpenAI to collaborate with Microsoft’s rivals.

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Microsoft Trains Sales Teams to Criticize OpenAI and Anthropic

July 16, 2026

Photo: TechCrunch

Quick answer

Microsoft has begun training sales teams to critique AI products from OpenAI and Anthropic, promoting its own models as superior in efficiency and integration.

Microsoft is conducting internal training sessions for its sales team, designed to promote its own AI solutions by critiquing competitors. During a strategic session for the new fiscal year, company leadership urged employees to highlight the advantages of Microsoft’s built-in models over products from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. The focus is on cost efficiency and comprehensive solutions.

Microsoft Vice President Jay Parikh stated that the company offers a full ecosystem, unlike competitors. His colleague Jacob Andreou compared Copilot to Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, noting that the latter lags in speed, accuracy, and integration with Microsoft’s security systems in Office apps.

These steps align with Microsoft’s strategy to reduce dependence on external partners. Reports indicate the company has begun replacing OpenAI and Anthropic models in flagship products like Word and Excel with its own developments. This move aims to optimize costs and strengthen its position in the corporate AI solutions market.

Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI shifted in April when their partnership became non-exclusive. OpenAI can now collaborate with Microsoft’s competitors, prompting the latter to aggressively promote its own technologies. Investors remain skeptical of Microsoft’s high AI development costs, and the company is working to demonstrate the competitiveness of its products.

Common questions

Why is Microsoft criticizing OpenAI and Anthropic?: Microsoft aims to promote its in-house AI models and reduce reliance on partners. Criticizing competitors helps justify the shift to internal solutions, particularly in the enterprise segment.
What advantages does Microsoft highlight in its AI models?: The company emphasizes speed, accuracy, security, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 apps like Word and Excel.
How have Microsoft’s relations with OpenAI changed?: Microsoft previously had exclusive access to OpenAI’s models, but the partnership became non-exclusive in April, allowing OpenAI to collaborate with Microsoft’s rivals.

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