OpenAI Brings Top AI Models to Google Cloud in New Enterprise Push

OpenAI and Google compete to make artificial intelligence (AI) technology. But their new partnership shows that they can still work together.

OpenAI is bringing its most advanced AI models and Codex coding tools to Google Cloud. This will let business customers use OpenAI technology through Google's cloud systems and buying services. The companies announced the deal on October 21 and plan to make the technology widely available in the coming weeks.

For companies that help other businesses use technology, called channel partners, this creates another way to offer OpenAI tools to Google Cloud customers. It also makes cloud marketplaces more important for buying business AI tools. Customers can increasingly get AI models from competing companies through one cloud provider.

OpenAI models are coming to Google Cloud's business AI platform

Google Cloud's first offering includes three OpenAI models made for different business needs:

• GPT-6 Astra: The most powerful model in the announced group. It is meant for difficult software development, research, and professional tasks.
• GPT-6.1 Sol: A less expensive choice for businesses that need advanced coding tools and AI that can complete tasks automatically.
• GPT-6 Luna: Made for businesses that want fast results and lower costs when using AI for everyday tasks.

The models are entering a private testing period for selected business customers. The companies plan to make them available to more customers in the coming weeks.

Customers who get approval can test the models using Google's platform and connect them to supported Codex tools and tasks. OpenAI models are also expected to become available through Google Antigravity and other Google AI tools for businesses.

The companies have not yet announced how much individual models will cost on Google Cloud Marketplace. For now, only approved customers can use the private preview to develop and test tools inside their companies. They cannot yet use the models in live business applications.

Google Cloud Marketplace gives businesses another way to buy OpenAI models

One of the main business benefits of the deal is that customers will be able to buy OpenAI models using their existing Google Cloud accounts.

Google says these purchases will count toward the money customers have already agreed to spend on Google Cloud. The charges will also appear on one combined bill. Google also says eligible usage will count toward Flexible Savings Plans, even when customers use models from different companies.

This could be useful for large businesses that have already promised to spend a lot on Google Cloud. They could start using OpenAI technology without needing a separate agreement to buy cloud services.

The deal could also create new work for partners that manage Google Cloud systems for these businesses.

For example, a company that helps connect different technology systems could compare OpenAI models with other choices, help a customer add the chosen model to its business software, and keep track of costs.

The deal also shows how marketplaces run by major cloud providers are becoming more important. More businesses are buying software using money they have already set aside for cloud services.

However, the companies have not said how much money partners could earn from sales, which partners will be allowed to resell the models, or how sales income will be shared.

Google offers more AI choices even though it competes with OpenAI

This partnership is unusual because Google and OpenAI compete directly in AI that can create text, code, and other content.

Google makes its own AI models called Gemini. But Google Cloud also wants to be a place where businesses can use AI models made by many different companies.

Google says its business AI platform offers more than 200 models. These include Google's own models, models from other companies, and open models that developers can use.

For business customers, this means they can choose an AI model for each job instead of using only one company's models for everything.

For example, a business might use different models for writing software, helping customers, or working with documents. It could choose based on how well each model works, how quickly it responds, and how much it costs.

Channel partners could help customers compare these choices and connect the selected models to systems the customers already use.

How valuable this work becomes will depend on whether partners can show clear improvements, such as employees getting more work done, software working better, or businesses spending less money.

Security and rules for using data are still important

Google says OpenAI models will run inside its security system for businesses. This system includes controls over who can use the models, ways to check and record activity, and rules for handling data.

Google says the questions and instructions customers send to AI, the background information they provide, and the answers they receive will stay within approved data boundaries. Google also says this information will not be used to train the main AI models.

However, some extra safety features are still being planned and are not available yet. These include Zero Data Retention, which is designed to avoid storing certain customer data, and support for Confidential Compute, which helps protect data while computers process it.

This difference is important for channel partners helping businesses in industries with strict rules. Before setting up the technology, partners should check which protections are actually available, where customer data will be processed, and whether the setup follows the customer's legal and industry requirements.

OpenAI finds more ways to reach businesses beyond Microsoft

The Google Cloud deal is part of OpenAI's larger plan to reach business customers through several platforms and partner companies.

According to OpenAI's announcement, Microsoft is still its main cloud partner. The Google agreement gives OpenAI another way to offer its models to businesses. It also lets Google Cloud customers use OpenAI models alongside Google's Gemini models.

OpenAI has also been growing its network of business partners. The company hired Philip Larson, a former Google Cloud executive, to lead its Partner Network. This shows that OpenAI is putting more effort into building AI partnerships and working with companies that sell and support technology.

Separately, OpenAI has launched a Marketplace for business AI software made by partners. This gives eligible business customers more ways to buy software from other companies.

That Marketplace is separate from Google Cloud Marketplace. But both efforts show that OpenAI wants to give businesses more choices for buying and accessing its technology and related software.

What the agreement means for channel partners

For Google Cloud partners, the agreement could create new opportunities to help existing customers compare and set up OpenAI models in their cloud systems. This work could begin once the models are approved for use in live business applications.

Partners could offer services such as testing and comparing AI models, connecting AI to existing software, building AI agents that can carry out tasks, checking security, and finding ways to lower costs.

However, some important business details are still unknown. The companies have not announced final prices, rewards or payments for partners, or exact rules for reselling the models. Wider access to the models and some planned security features are also not available yet.

For now, partners should look at where OpenAI models could bring clear, measurable benefits to customers. They should also watch for updates about when the models become available and any new rules for selling through the marketplace.

As powerful AI models become available through competing cloud platforms, simply giving customers access to AI may no longer be enough to stand out. Partners will increasingly need to show that they can set up the technology well, manage its use safely and responsibly, and deliver business results that can be measured.