Microsoft Azure OpenAI – How to Apply

ChatGPT is the latest “game changer” in the artificial intelligence space. ChatGPT is extremely accessible because anyone can sign up for a free account at https://chat.openai.com/. With a free account, you can play around with a chatbot that can answer factual questions, draft emails, and more. We put a few AI tools to help draft contracts up for free as well. The accessibility is great for individuals. However, organizations might balk at the privacy terms OpenAI pushes on its customers; terms that give OpenAI wide range to examine your content. An alternate path to using GPT3 (the technology behind ChatGPT) is through Microsoft Azure, who also provides GPT3 through its Azure Cognitive Services, or more specifically Azure OpenAI Service.

Eligibility

As of the publishing date, Azure OpenAI is in “limited access”, which means you cannot just spin up a resource on a whim in your Azure Portal. You must apply for access.

The biggest limitation is that you need to be a legitimate business. You’ll need some documents later on in the process showing your status; whether it is a registration as a sole proprietor, or articles of incorporation if you are incorporated. In my experience, if you have any reasonable or even plausible use for OpenAI, Microsoft will approve your request.

If you’re looking for tighter controls for privacy reasons, you will want to apply for the Modified Content Filters and Abuse Monitoring. Only managed customers and partners can apply.

Steps to Apply for Azure OpenAI

Microsoft’s documentation is all over the place, but the steps are actually very simple. You answer a questionnaire, then you answer an email you can expect in roughly 10 business days. From there, Microsoft will either approve or reject. If approved, your Azure OpenAI resource will appear in your Azure Portal.

Step 1: Answer the questionnaire at https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbR7en2Ais5pxKtso_Pz4b1_xUOFA5Qk1UWDRBMjg0WFhPMkIzTzhKQ1dWNyQlQCN0PWcu

Step 2: Respond to the email confirming your legal business profile

Step 3: Find your resource in your Azure Portal

Modified Content Filters and Abuse Monitoring

One of the biggest advantages of using Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI is the Modified Content Filters and Abuse Monitoring. Unfortunately, this is not available to just anyone and I was not able to get any further than seeing the questionnaire.

Step 1: Answer the questionnaire at https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbR7en2Ais5pxKtso_Pz4b1_xURE01NDY1OUhBRzQ3MkQxMUhZSE1ZUlJKTiQlQCN0PWcu

Step 2: ???

Conclusion

It’s a difficult balance to strike, ensuring data security, confidentiality, while taking advantage of the latest technology. Microsoft Azure OpenAI is going to be a lot more recognizable for enterprises who likely already have service agreements with Microsoft. Accordingly, this might tip the balance in favor of Microsoft.