Microsoft has officially launched the process of replacing OpenAI and Anthropic models with its own MAI (Microsoft AI) systems in key applications — Excel and Outlook. This decision has already led to tens of thousands of requests per week being processed exclusively by the company's internal algorithms.
Strategic Shift: From Partnership to In-House Development
For a long time, Excel and Outlook relied on the computing power of OpenAI and Anthropic, with Microsoft receiving preferential access thanks to a long-standing partnership with the creators of ChatGPT. However, the team led by AI division head Mustafa Suleyman decided that dependence on external pricing policies was too risky a path, especially after discounts were canceled.
As early as June, Suleyman directly stated his intention to reduce spending on Anthropic and transition to in-house systems. "We are paying Anthropic a lot of money — our task is to gradually reduce costs and completely eliminate unnecessary expenses," he emphasized.
Cost Savings as the Main Driver
The transition to MAI is part of a large-scale cost-cutting program. In May 2026, Microsoft had already begun phasing out most internal licenses for Claude Code. Simultaneously, the company announced a 2.1% workforce reduction (approximately 4,800 employees), with the main impact hitting the Xbox gaming division, where around 3,200 specialists will lose their jobs.
Notably, Microsoft is cutting costs even amid record investments in AI infrastructure. This reflects a hard-nosed pragmatism: the company is willing to invest in its own technologies but not overpay third-party developers.
Analyst Commentary: Microsoft's decision is a clear marker of the AI market's maturity. Major players no longer want to be hostages to vendor pricing policies and are actively building their own ecosystems. For the crypto industry, this is a signal: vertical integration and control over key technologies are becoming critical competitive advantages. If Microsoft can scale MAI without losing quality, we will see a cascading abandonment of external AI providers across the corporate sector.