Moonshot AI in Advanced Talks with US Cloud Leaders Over Kimi K3
In a move that could reshape cross-border AI partnerships, Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI is engaged in high-stakes negotiations with Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. The discussions center on hosting Moonshot's flagship Kimi K3 model on the tech giants' respective cloud platforms—Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
The Deal Structure: Targeting Up to 30% Revenue Share
According to individuals familiar with the matter, the proposed partnership is structured as a revenue-sharing agreement. Moonshot AI is seeking to receive a cut of the income generated from all K3-related services running on these cloud platforms, with the target share reportedly as high as 30%.
This figure aligns closely with the terms the startup already offers to its major enterprise clients who utilize its open-weight models. It signals a deliberate strategy to scale a proven commercial framework through partnerships with global infrastructure leaders.
A Potential Landmark for US-China AI Collaboration
Should an agreement be reached, it would likely represent the first significant revenue-sharing pact between a leading Chinese AI developer and major American cloud service providers. This not only validates the technical prowess of Moonshot's Kimi K3 but also points to an emerging model for international AI commercialization.
Industry observers note that such a model allows AI firms to concentrate on core model development while leveraging the massive scale, distribution networks, and customer reach of established cloud providers—a synergy of specialized strengths.
Broader Trend: Monetizing Open-Source AI Models
Moonshot AI is not alone in exploring this path. Sources indicate that Alibaba is also engaging in similar discussions with key users of its latest open-source AI model regarding revenue-sharing arrangements. This appears to be becoming a viable commercialization route for top AI companies, particularly those advocating for open model ecosystems.
Moonshot has already inked comparable deals with several smaller cloud platforms. Negotiations with the "Big Three" mark a critical step in bringing this model to the global mainstream market, reflecting a strategic push to build a multi-layered, worldwide distribution and monetization network.
The Win-Win Proposition
For Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, integrating a cutting-edge model like Kimi K3 into their cloud marketplaces significantly enriches their AI service portfolios. It enhances their appeal to developers and enterprises, potentially driving platform growth and stickiness—a strategic advantage worth sharing revenue for.
For Moonshot AI, this partnership offers a low-margin-cost channel to reach millions of global cloud users, rapidly expanding its market presence and technical influence. The steady revenue stream would, in turn, fuel ongoing research and development. The outcome of these negotiations could set a powerful precedent for future global AI industry collaborations.