Archive · 21 Jan 2026
OpenAI's Compute, Revenue Growth and Energy Plans
OpenAI has seen a huge increase in its computing power and money made.
Over the last three years, their computing power grew 9.5 times, and their money made grew 10 times.
They now have deals with big companies like Nvidia and Cerebras to get even more computing power.
OpenAI's leader, Sarah Friar, says this growth is important for making better AI products and services.
They are also starting to test ads in ChatGPT, which is one way they might make more money.
OpenAI believes that more computing power will help them make even better AI things in the future.
Additionally, OpenAI has a new plan called Stargate to build AI data centres.
They want to make sure that building these centres doesn't make electricity more expensive for the people living nearby.
Each Stargate site will have its own plan based on what the local community wants and needs.
OpenAI's computing capacity grew 9.5 times from 2023 to 2025, reaching 1.9 GW.
Annualised recurring revenue grew ten-fold, exceeding $20 billion in 2025.
OpenAI secured deals worth $1.4 trillion for AI infrastructure, including $100 billion with Nvidia and over $10 billion with Cerebras.
OpenAI is testing ads within ChatGPT, marking a shift towards advertising as a revenue model.
OpenAI aims to expand computing capacity to 250 GW by 2033 to support future AI developments and unveiled the Stargate Community plan to ensure energy costs do not burden local communities.
- Who
- OpenAI
- What
- Growth in compute capacity, revenue, and energy plans
- When
- From 2023 to 2025, with plans extending to 2033
- Where
- Globally, with significant deals and community plans
- Why
- To support AI model development, monetization, and community engagement
Pro-Growth
Community-Centric
Energy Costs
Pro-Growth
Focus on securing large-scale energy deals to support AI growth.
Community-Centric
Ensure local communities are not burdened by increased electricity costs.
- Compute Capacity Growth
- 9.5x from 2023 to 2025
- Revenue Growth
- 10x from 2023 to 2025
- Annualised Recurring Revenue (2025)
- Over $20 billion
- Compute Capacity (2025)
- 1.9 GW
- Compute Capacity (2023)
- 0.2 GW
- Nvidia Deal
- $100 billion for 10 GW of systems
- Cerebras Deal
- Over $10 billion for AI products
- Target Compute Capacity (2033)
- 250 GW
- Stargate Initiative
- $500 billion, multi-year project for AI data centres
- Stargate Community Plan
- Locally tailored plans driven by community input