OpenAI Valued at $157bn After Latest $6.6bn Funding Round

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has secured $6.6bn in a fresh funding round, pushing its valuation to a staggering $157bn (£118bn). This positions OpenAI among the most valuable startups globally, alongside giants like Goldman Sachs, and reflects the continued investor confidence in artificial intelligence (AI).

"OpenAI hits $157bn valuation with $6.6bn funding boost, solidifying its leadership in AI innovation amid rapid growth and internal challenges."

Key investors, including Microsoft, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Thrive Capital, contributed to this round, which will support OpenAI’s AI research and product development. The company aims to expand its computing capacity and continue creating innovative tools to solve complex problems.

CEO Sam Altman is reportedly restructuring OpenAI into a for-profit entity, sparking internal and external debates. Some, including co-founder Elon Musk, criticize this shift, arguing that it moves away from the company’s original mission of using AI for humanity's benefit.

Despite internal challenges, OpenAI remains a major player in the AI sector. With over 250 million weekly active users and 1 million paying customers, it is on track to generate $3.6bn in revenue, though projected losses exceed $5bn. The rapid push to develop new AI products has caused friction within the company, leading to recent high-profile departures, including long-time CTO Mira Murati and other top researchers.