Service disruptions on Microsoft's GitHub platform have pushed OpenAI engineers to build their own code repository system, creating an unexpected internal competitor for their largest investor.
OpenAI began developing a new code-hosting platform after engineers experienced multiple outages that rendered GitHub unavailable in recent months, according to The Information. The service disruptions interfered with development workflows at the ChatGPT creator, prompting the decision to create an alternative solution.
The project remains in early stages and will likely take several months to complete before any potential launch. Employees working on the initiative have considered making the finished product available for purchase to OpenAI's customer base, which would position the company in direct competition with Microsoft.
Microsoft holds approximately 27 percent of OpenAI on an as-converted diluted basis and acquired GitHub in 2018 for $7.5 billion. The tech giant serves as both OpenAI's largest investor and key technology partner through its Azure cloud infrastructure.
If commercially launched, the platform would represent a departure from typical corporate partnerships where major investors provide critical infrastructure services. The move follows a pattern of increasing independence from OpenAI as it scales operations following its latest funding round that valued the company at $840 billion.
Engineers encountered what sources described as "a rise in service disruptions" affecting GitHub availability throughout recent months. Several incidents were attributed to the platform's ongoing migration from legacy data centers to modern cloud infrastructure managed by Microsoft.
