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

[gray17@mastodon.social]

@cwebber only if AI agents can also join a union

[syllopsium@peoplemaking.games]

@blogdiva @cwebber No, it's not audacious, or at least not even slightly new.

Back in the day of Microsoft SQL Server 7 (before the web was a proper thing) Microsoft had not understood that there was nothing under the terms of the license preventing the purchase of a limited SQL connection license, putting it on a server, and then multiplexing those connections to a web server.

They subsequently edited the license for all new copies, (illegally) tried to retrospectively change the license for existing licences despite the fact it contradicted the previously issued hard copy, and boy by the time SQL Server 2000 arrived were they very clear that web servers needed a specific type of license.

If 'AI', or anything similar to the multiplexing described above potentially affects a revenue stream, they will modify license schemes to retain revenue.

There is no such thing as a free lunch when you don't control part of the solution stack.

You want audacious? Try Oracle or VMWare instead.

[dale_price@mastodon.online]

@cwebber It’s just like how you can get infinite electricity by plugging a surge protector into itself, but for money

[401matthall@mastodon.xyz]

@cwebber

Sweet Mary mother of Jesus... These fucking people really are fucking _insane_...

The pile of code that's not an entity which requires a fee/license to use will require software, which is a pile of code and not an entity, that also has fees/licenses which runs on servers/infrastructure, which is not an entity, that also requires fees/licenses/rents.

I have a neat idea.

It's time to John Galt these motherfuckers. _We_ leave. We go have lives of peace and community.

[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?