Microsoft’s Satya Nadella worried about an OpenAI-Apple deal: report

• Satya Nadella recently met with Sam Altman to discuss a new OpenAI deal, The Information reported.
• OpenAI recently sealed a major deal with Apple, according to the outlet.
• Microsoft is reportedly concerned about how the deal could affect its product ambitions. 

Microsoft seems to be concerned about some of OpenAI’s business dealings.

Satya Nadella recently met with Sam Altman to discuss an apparent deal between OpenAI and Apple, The Information reported.

According to the outlet, the OpenAI CEO recently reached an agreement with the iPhone maker to incorporate some OpenAI services into Apple products. Nadella was reportedly concerned about the potential impact of a deal on Microsoft’s product ambitions, per the report.

Representatives for OpenAI, Apple, and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours. Apple and OpenAI declined to comment to The Information.

Apple was said to be considering both Google and OpenAI for the deal, which could be worth billions.

If OpenAI has indeed reached an agreement with Apple, it would be a much-needed win for Altman.

The tech boss has faced heightened scrutiny after former employees and board members publicly criticized him.

Helen Toner, a former OpenAI director, recently accused Altman of lying to the board “multiple” times and “withholding information.” 

Toner, who participated in November’s ousting of the CEO, said Altman had also kept the board in the dark about the company’s ownership structure.

Altman has also faced criticism from Jan Lieke, a former executive at OpenAI.

Leike quit OpenAI earlier this month, accusing the company of prioritizing “shiny products” over “safety culture and processes.”

Tensions over the priorities within OpenAI had reportedly been brewing since Altman’s brief ouster.

An insider told The Financial Times that Microsoft had pressured OpenAI to prioritize commercial products following the failed coup. The increased pressure from its largest investor reportedly amplified already-simmering tensions between executives.