Archive · 19 Sep 2026
OpenAI Forecasts $278 Billion Cash Burn Through 2030
OpenAI expects to spend much more money than it earns over the next few years.
It estimates that its cash shortfall could reach $278 billion between 2026 and 2030.
Much of the spending would pay for computers and infrastructure needed to build and operate AI models.
OpenAI expects its yearly revenue to grow from $36 billion to $350 billion during that period.
It also forecasts total revenue of $840 billion through the end of the decade.
The company reportedly raised $122 billion in March.
However, the Financial Times reported that this money could run out by 2028.
OpenAI has filed confidentially to prepare for a possible stock-market listing, but Sam Altman said it would not happen in 2026 because of AI safety concerns.
OpenAI projects negative free cash flow of $278 billion from 2026 through 2030.
The company expects annual revenue to rise from $36 billion in 2026 to $350 billion in 2030.
OpenAI forecasts spending about $856 billion on computing power and infrastructure by the end of 2030.
The company reportedly raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation and could exhaust that cash by 2028.
OpenAI has confidentially filed for an IPO but CEO Sam Altman said it would not go public in 2026 over AI safety concerns.
- Who
- OpenAI, with CEO Sam Altman commenting on its possible IPO.
- What
- The company reportedly forecasts $278 billion in negative free cash flow from 2026 through 2030 while expanding computing and infrastructure.
- When
- The projections cover 2026 through 2030; the report was published September 19, 2026.
- Where
- The article does not specify a location.
- Why
- OpenAI plans to secure the computing capacity needed to train and operate its AI models.
- Projected cash burn
- $278 billion in negative free cash flow from 2026 through 2030
- Projected 2030 revenue
- $350 billion
- Projected cumulative revenue
- $840 billion through the end of the decade
- Computing and infrastructure spending
- About $856 billion by the end of 2030
- March fundraising
- $122 billion raised at an $852 billion valuation
- Projected cash exhaustion
- The Financial Times reported OpenAI is on track to exhaust that cash by 2028
- Potential IPO
- OpenAI filed confidentially in June, but Sam Altman said it would not go public in 2026