OpenAI is reportedly in discussions with investors about a share sale. The AI startup, renowned for its development of ChatGPT and the DALL-E AI image generator, is seeking a valuation between $80 billion and $90 billion, marking a significant leap from its valuation earlier this year.
The Wall Street Journal says the potential sale is not intended to raise additional capital through the issuance of new shares, but rather to allow employees to sell their existing shares. The company has communicated to investors its anticipation of reaching $1 billion in revenue this year, with projections of generating many billions more in 2024.
A Leader in the AI Landscape
OpenAI has been a pivotal player in the AI industry, particularly since the release of ChatGPT in November. The company has successfully monetized this technology by offering a more powerful version of ChatGPT to individuals and licensing the large language models to businesses. This strategy has positioned OpenAI among the most highly valued global startups, alongside SpaceX and ByteDance. The company’s influence is evident as tech giants like Google are developing rival AI programs, such as Gemini, to compete with OpenAI’s advanced models.
Strategic Moves and Future Prospects
The share sale discussions come after Microsoft’s substantial investment in OpenAI in January, which was aimed at financing the computing costs associated with training advanced AI models. The transaction would result in significant paper profits for Microsoft, given the increase in OpenAI’s valuation. CEO Sam Altman has been at the forefront, engaging with investment giants and advocating for the regulation of advanced AI systems. Despite the ongoing discussions and potential share sales, Altman has indicated that he does not foresee OpenAI going public or being sold, making these share sales crucial for employee stock liquidation.
Last Updated on November 8, 2024 11:04 am CET
