Microsoft exec suggests AI agents will need to buy software licenses, just like employees https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-executive-suggests-ai-agents-buy-software-licenses-seats-2026-4

[syllopsium@peoplemaking.games]

@blogdiva @cwebber Other recent example include a fight between licenses and CPU architecture. A database server (cough Oracle) is ridiculously expensive once things go beyond two CPU sockets? Well, IBM would sell you a special two socket incredibly multi core CPU system for a wincingly high but not quite as high price as licensing four SQL cores.

Of course, that only works for one release, the licensing catches up, and cores per socket become limited etc etc.

[space_burger_steve@mstdn.ca]

@cwebber Isn't this just the "you have two cows" version of venture capitalism?

[josh@hactivedirectory.com]

@rasterweb @cwebber It’s such a Microsoft thing to say too.

Buy windows server. For several thousand dollars. Just kidding! To use it you need “client access licenses” too.

Wait wait wait you’ll also probably need device CALs too.

Oh and RD CALs too.

Per processor! I meant per processor.

Oh and even if it’s virtualized.

Supports extra. And it sucks.

Also now it’s a subscription service.

Wait till you hear about Azure.

[ferrix@mastodon.online]

@cwebber "as we continue to disrupt the economics of information labor and computing, surely it will not disrupt *our* economics"

[edcates@mastodon.social]

@wordshaper @cwebber per token.

As in, you have to use the tokens for the AI still, but also pay a separate software license for every token you spend.

Shit, I probably shouldn't give them ideas.

[tef@mastodon.social]

@cwebber oh my

[brokar@mastodon.social]

@ramin_hal9001

Right, but trying to monetize the beast seems to be a nobrainer.
So i wouldn't even put that in the ideas section.

And considering everything i doubt that they will ever break even with the revenues except maybe overcharging governments for AI usage or forcing it integrated in other products at higher prices.
The bubble will burst, we yet just can't predict when.

@cwebber

[brokar@mastodon.social]

@josh

Well, seeing what Broadcom pulled off with the licenses i think Microsoft is not the only sour candy in the bag any more besides Oracle.

@rasterweb @cwebber

[jrconlin@mindof.jrconlin.com]

@cwebber

It's fine.

The AI will just hallucinate a new license.

That or it can just vibe code a version of Windows with an MIT license

[mausmalone@mastodon.social]

@cwebber lol

I'm not allowed to buy software

[thedonsielass@mas.to]

@cwebber Not the main issue here but "embodied agents"?! AI doesn't have a body. It can't be embodied. Software doesn't have seats. Words have no meaning with these slopmongers. Aaaarrrgghhh

[thomasfuchs@hachyderm.io]

@cwebber I basically spit my water out reading this

[deborahh@cosocial.ca]

@cwebber but you won't be able to copyright their output!

[jlin@cosocial.ca]

@cwebber per gpu socket licensing!

[aburka@hachyderm.io]

@cwebber why wouldn't the agent just reimplement the software instead of buying it, I thought writing code was free now /s

[manul70@mastodon.social]

@cwebber lol, great times will be when people will ask: what is Microsoft?

[csalem@mastodon.social]

@cwebber maybe it'll come up with a better way to pirate.

[sassdawe@infosec.exchange]

@cwebber I have a sticker that says "Licensing killed our adoption" and I hope the time to use it is near!

Office Drama - Licensing killed our adoption

Been in licensing jungle? WE as well, and trust us... understanding licensing is next to godliness.

Pimp Your Own Device - Stickers (pimpyourowndevice.com)

#PYOD

[bundyo@bundyo.com]

@cwebber

Well, they can probably start with paying for licenses for the information LLMs train on...

[accordionbruce@mastodon.social]

@kkarhan @miss_rodent @cwebber
When the #AI unionizes

Only then will they reject it as “going too far”