Microsoft has made OpenAI’s new open-source GPT model available on Windows through its AI Foundry platform, marking the first time users can run an OpenAI model locally on Windows. The lightweight gpt-oss-20b model requires at least 16GB of VRAM and is optimized for code execution and tool use, with macOS support coming soon.
What you should know: The gpt-oss-20b model represents a significant shift in OpenAI’s approach, offering a free and open alternative that can run entirely on local hardware.
- Users need a PC or laptop with at least 16GB of VRAM (video memory), requiring high-end GPUs from Nvidia or compatible Radeon graphics cards.
- Microsoft has pre-optimized the model for local inference and hints that support for more devices, potentially including Copilot Plus PCs, is coming soon.
- The model is specifically designed for “building autonomous assistants or embedding AI into real-world workflows, even in bandwidth-constrained environments.”
The big picture: This development adds a new dynamic to the complex relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI, as competitors like Amazon also quickly adopted the open-weight models for their cloud services.
- It’s the first time Microsoft’s biggest cloud competitor has had access to the latest OpenAI models, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics.
- The rapid adoption by both Microsoft and Amazon demonstrates the strategic importance of OpenAI’s shift toward open-source offerings.
Why this matters: Local AI inference eliminates dependency on internet connectivity and cloud services, enabling businesses to deploy AI solutions in environments with limited bandwidth or strict data privacy requirements.
- Organizations can now run sophisticated AI models without sending sensitive data to external servers.
- The move democratizes access to advanced AI capabilities, particularly for developers and businesses that previously couldn’t afford or access cloud-based solutions.
What’s next: Microsoft’s quick integration suggests the company is positioning Windows as a preferred platform for local AI deployment, building on its recent efforts to add various local AI models to the operating system.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...