OpenAI brings GPT-6 Astra and Codex to Google Cloud

OpenAI and Google said on 21 October that GPT-6 Astra and the Codex coding agent would reach Google Cloud in the coming weeks, extending OpenAI’s model distribution across three major US cloud providers after its Microsoft exclusivity expired in April, Reuters reported. Business customers will be able to buy the models through Google Cloud Marketplace and apply existing cloud spending commitments to the purchases.

GPT-6 Astra enters Google Cloud’s catalogue

GPT-6 Astra is among the OpenAI models planned for Model Garden, Google Cloud’s catalogue of AI models. The companies also described Codex as part of the planned offering. Google Cloud customers in regulated industries will be able to use its access controls, data governance tools and infrastructure when building applications with OpenAI models. The rollout is planned for the coming weeks.

CNBC described the planned rollout differently, saying OpenAI’s GPT products would come to Google Cloud’s Model Garden and Antigravity coding tool in the coming weeks. Reuters identified Codex as the coding agent going to Google Cloud. Google and OpenAI also compete in core AI products and search, while Google Cloud offers customers models from developers other than Google.

The Marketplace route gives customers a way to purchase OpenAI models against cloud spending commitments they already hold. Cloud providers usually receive a portion of sales made through their platforms. The customer purchases the models through Google Cloud, while OpenAI gains another enterprise sales channel and Google Cloud adds OpenAI’s products to its catalogue.

Microsoft exclusivity ended in April

OpenAI’s exclusive distribution arrangement with Microsoft expired in April. Amazon announced plans to host OpenAI models the following day. With the Google Cloud announcement, developers using Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud have a route to OpenAI models through their cloud provider. The Google Cloud offering is due to become available in the coming weeks.

Google and OpenAI already had a cloud relationship. In 2025, OpenAI said Google Cloud provided computing capacity for ChatGPT and its API, according to CNBC. The new arrangement concerns distribution to Google Cloud customers through its model catalogue and Marketplace. Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s chief executive, previously said the platform welcomed models popular with developers.

OpenAI’s 2015 founding was motivated partly by concern that companies including Google held too much of the field’s research activity. Its models will now be sold through Google’s cloud business alongside other model developers’ products. For enterprise customers with Google Cloud spending commitments, the purchase route uses an existing procurement channel rather than requiring a move to another cloud provider.

Google Cloud growth and OpenAI’s valuation target

Google Cloud’s annualised revenue growth accelerated to about 82% in the second quarter from 63% in the first, partly because of demand for AI models and custom chips. Amazon’s cloud growth was 37% in the second quarter and Microsoft’s was 42%. The OpenAI addition gives Google Cloud another model supplier as the three providers compete for AI workloads.

OpenAI is seeking investment at a $1.4 trillion valuation as it pursues a stock-market listing, according to CNBC. Wider cloud distribution gives it access to enterprise developers beyond its consumer products. Anthropic, another AI developer backed by Amazon and Google, generated 47% of its 2025 revenue through Amazon and Google’s cloud platforms, according to its IPO filing reviewed by Reuters.