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Microsoft has dropped its seat as an observer on the board of OpenAI, less than eight months after securing the non-voting seat. Apple was reportedly planning<\/a> to join OpenAI\u2019s nonprofit board, but now the Financial Times<\/em> reports<\/a> that Apple will no longer join the board.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n OpenAI confirmed that Microsoft has given up its seat in a statement to The Verge, <\/em>following reports from Axios<\/em><\/a> <\/em>and the Financial Times<\/em> that Microsoft\u2019s deputy general counsel Keith Dolliver wrote a letter to OpenAI late on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to\u00a0Microsoft\u00a0for voicing confidence in the Board and the direction of the company, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership,\u201d says OpenAI spokesperson Steve Sharpe. \u201cUnder the leadership of CFO Sarah Friar, we are establishing a new approach to informing and engaging key strategic partners \u2013 such as\u00a0Microsoft\u00a0and Apple \u2013 and investors \u2013 such as Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n OpenAI\u2019s new approach towards Microsoft and Apple will involve hosting \u201cregular stakeholder meetings to share progress on our mission and ensure stronger collaboration across safety and security.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The changes to OpenAI\u2019s board come as antitrust concerns over Microsoft\u2019s deal with OpenAI have grown in recent months. UK regulators started seeking views on Microsoft\u2019s partnership with OpenAI in December<\/a>, shortly after the turmoil that led to the ousting of CEO Sam Altman<\/a> and his return<\/a>. EU regulators are also looking into the partnership<\/a>, alongside other Big Tech AI deals. The FTC is also investigating<\/a> Microsoft, Amazon, and Google investments into OpenAI and Anthropic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n