Business · Companies · 2 days ago
OpenAI projects $50bn in revenue, $20bn below recent estimate
OpenAI has told investors it expects to bring in $50bn in revenue this year, based on sales through the end of September.
That is $20bn below the $70bn figure it had signalled last month.
The earlier estimate came from investors comparing OpenAI with rival Anthropic, rather than from OpenAI itself.
Anthropic counts sales made through cloud partners such as Amazon and Google in its revenue forecasts, while OpenAI does not.
Investors watch revenue forecasts closely because AI companies are spending heavily on data centres and other infrastructure.
The lower estimate was followed by falls in US technology stocks, raising questions about demand for AI and whether companies can earn enough to support their spending.
OpenAI is in early talks to raise $30bn at a valuation of about $1.4tn, while its chief executive, Sam Altman, has said the company will not go public this year, citing safety concerns.
Anthropic is expected to continue with plans for an IPO as soon as next month.
OpenAI told investors it expects revenue of $50 billion this year, based on sales through the end of September.
That projection is $20 billion below the $70 billion figure indicated to investors last month.
The difference reflects a comparison with Anthropic that includes revenue from cloud partners, which OpenAI does not count in its own revenue figures.
News of the gap weighed on US technology stocks, with the Nasdaq closing down 1.4% on Thursday.
OpenAI is in early-stage talks to raise $30 billion at a valuation of about $1.4 trillion.
- Who
- OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.
- What
- It projected $50 billion in revenue for this year, $20 billion below the figure indicated to investors last month.
- When
- The projection was reported on October 9, 2026, and is based on sales through the end of September.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The earlier figure reflected an investor comparison with Anthropic that includes sales through cloud partners; OpenAI does not include those sales in its revenue figures.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
rattle investors
OpenAI closed a $122 billion funding round at a valuation of $852 billion.
OpenAI indicated to investors that its revenue could reach $70 billion.
OpenAI’s $50 billion projection was based on sales through this point.
News of the revenue gap coincided with the Nasdaq closing down 1.4%.
- Projected revenue
- $50 billion
- Earlier indicated revenue
- $70 billion
- Revenue gap
- $20 billion
- Funding round
- $122 billion in March, at an $852 billion valuation
- Potential funding round
- $30 billion at a valuation of about $1.4 trillion
Sources
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