A $100 million deal brings OpenAI’s GPT-5 directly into Databricks’ platform, enabling enterprises to build AI agents on secure corporate data. Image Source: ChatGPT-5
Databricks Bets $100M on OpenAI Models for Enterprise AI Push
Key Takeaways: Databricks and OpenAI $100M AI Deal
Databricks signed a $100 million multi-year agreement to integrate OpenAI’s models, including GPT-5, into its platform.
Agent Bricks, Databricks’ AI tool for enterprise app-building, now offers OpenAI models via SQL or API access.
The deal ensures OpenAI predictable revenue, while Databricks takes on financial risk if usage falls short.
The partnership follows Databricks’ earlier integrations of open-weight models gpt-oss 20B and gpt-oss 120B.
Mastercard and other enterprise customers are already showing “overwhelming demand,” according to Databricks.
Databricks: $100M Commitment to OpenAI Models
Databricks announced a $100 million multi-year deal to embed OpenAI’s models into its data platform and AI product, Agent Bricks. The move, revealed Thursday, underscores the growing race to bring generative AI into the enterprise software stack.
Agent Bricks allows organizations to build AI applications and agents on top of enterprise data using a mix of models. With this deal, OpenAI’s GPT-5 becomes a flagship option for Databricks customers, available both in SQL queries and through API calls.
“Our partnership with Databricks brings our most advanced models to where secure enterprise data already lives, making it easier for businesses to experiment, deploy, and scale AI agents with real impact,” said Brad Lightcap, Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI.
Enterprise AI Strategy: Balancing Risk and Reward
The agreement requires Databricks to pay OpenAI at least $100 million over its lifetime, regardless of whether the models generate equivalent revenue. This structure provides OpenAI predictable income as it ramps up data center expansion, while exposing Databricks to potential downside risk if customer adoption falls short.
If revenues exceed $100 million, OpenAI will earn additional returns. The terms mirror an earlier Databricks partnership with Anthropic, which targeted $100 million over five years. Neither company disclosed the length of the agreement.
Platform Expansion: From Open Models to GPT-5
Just two months prior, Databricks added OpenAI’s open-weight models gpt-oss 20B and gpt-oss 120B. With this latest deal, Agent Bricks can now accurately measure how multiple models perform on enterprise tasks, and fine-tuning them for more tailored results.
Databricks reported strong interest from clients, noting that Mastercard is among those requesting native OpenAI integrations.
Q&A: Databricks and OpenAI $100M Partnership
Q: What did Databricks announce?
A: Databricks committed $100 million to integrate OpenAI’s models, including GPT-5, into its data platform and Agent Bricks product.
Q: What is Agent Bricks?
A: Agent Bricks is a Databricks tool that lets enterprises build AI apps and agents on their own data, using models accessed via SQL or API.
Q: How does the financial deal work?
A: Databricks must pay OpenAI $100 million regardless of revenue. If adoption exceeds expectations, OpenAI earns more; if not, Databricks bears the loss.
Q: How does this compare to past deals?
A: It mirrors Databricks’ agreement with Anthropic, which also set a $100 million target over five years.
Q: Who is already adopting the models?
A: Databricks cites Mastercard among customers showing “overwhelming demand” for OpenAI’s models on its platform.
Looking Ahead: Enterprise AI Competition Heats Up
The Databricks–OpenAI partnership represents one of the largest financial bets on enterprise generative AI adoption to date. By bundling GPT-5 directly into its platform, Databricks is positioning itself as a central hub where corporate data meets cutting-edge AI models.
For OpenAI, the agreement provides stable revenue and broader enterprise reach. For Databricks, it signals confidence that customers will prioritize secure, native access to AI tools — a trend already evident with clients like Mastercard.
As more enterprises explore AI adoption at scale, deals like this will likely shape how AI models integrate with corporate data ecosystems. Despite the financial risks, the move underscores a shared belief in the long-term value of enterprise AI.
Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.