As competition in the artificial intelligence sector intensifies, industry leader OpenAI has once again taken center stage. Recent news indicates that this AI research lab, renowned for ChatGPT, is actively seeking a new round of funding, with ambitions that are nothing short of impressive.
Reliable sources reveal that OpenAI is in discussions with multiple potential investors to raise billions of dollars. Should this funding round be successful, OpenAI's valuation could surpass the $100 billion mark, placing it among the world's most valuable tech companies.
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Among the investors, venture capital firm Thrive Capital has shown significant interest. It is reported that Thrive Capital intends to be a major player in this round, with an expected investment of around $1 billion. This figure underscores the strong confidence of the investment community in OpenAI's future.
Notably, tech giant Microsoft may also participate in this funding round. As a long-term strategic partner of OpenAI, Microsoft has already invested heavily in the company. Since 2019, Microsoft's total investment in OpenAI has reached $13 billion, with a 49% share of the company's profits. This deeply intertwined relationship makes Microsoft's role in this funding round highly anticipated.
Looking back at OpenAI's funding history, its rapid growth trajectory is evident. In a staff share sale at the end of 2022, OpenAI's valuation stood at $86 billion. In January 2023, Microsoft injected approximately $10 billion into OpenAI in one go, marking the largest external investment OpenAI has received to date.
Now, as OpenAI initiates another round of funding, its valuation is expected to surpass $100 billion, reflecting investors' optimistic outlook on AI technology and highlighting OpenAI's leading position in the industry. However, with soaring valuations, OpenAI will face higher expectations and greater pressure. The challenge ahead is how to sustain innovation and convert technology into commercial value.
In today's rapidly advancing AI technology landscape, OpenAI's funding round will undoubtedly intensify industry competition. We have reason to believe that with more capital injection, the AI field will see more breakthrough technological innovations and application scenarios, which will have a profound impact on the entire tech industry and human society.