At Microsoft’s Build 2026 event, the company announces a set of newly released in-house AI models, including what it describes as its first advanced “reasoning” flagship model, MAI-Thinking-1. Microsoft frames the move as a further step in developing its own model lineup, after it began introducing in-house models last year. Until recently, Microsoft relied heavily on models from OpenAI, though the two companies have since renegotiated their partnership terms, loosening some ties. The Verge reports that MAI-Thinking-1 is positioned as a flagship model within Microsoft’s broader push into model development. ZDNet adds that MAI-Thinking-1 is released as part of a larger batch of models unveiled at the same event, which includes additional capabilities for coding, image generation, and voice. Across the coverage, the common emphasis is that Microsoft is expanding its internal AI portfolio at Build, presenting MAI-Thinking-1 as a key new reasoning-focused product among several newly launched model offerings.