OpenAI has postponed its initial public offering (IPO) originally planned for this year and is now pursuing new funding, Bloomberg reported on September 29, citing sources.
According to the report, OpenAI aims for a total company valuation of $1.4 trillion and is seeking $30 billion in funding. This represents an increase of $20 billion from the previously reported target of $1.2 trillion. In March, during a funding round, OpenAI was valued at $852 billion, meaning that if this new funding is successful, its valuation could rise by more than 60%.
However, discussions regarding OpenAI's new funding are still in the early stages, and sources indicated that the specific amount and timeline could change.
OpenAI is competing with Anthropic for leadership in the AI model market, necessitating significant funding for advanced AI development. Although OpenAI initially planned to pursue an IPO this year, it has temporarily postponed this due to concerns about AI model safety. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated at a developer event that there is no specific deadline in mind for the IPO. He added that once certain safety issues are resolved and methods for safely handling the next generation of AI are established, the IPO could become a reality.
In contrast, Anthropic is moving forward with its IPO plans as scheduled, with expectations for a launch after the November midterm elections. Reuters reported that Anthropic has obtained its IPO prospectus, indicating plans for an offering exceeding $2 trillion. Previously, Anthropic was valued at $965 billion during a funding round in May.
The competition between OpenAI and Anthropic in the AI model market is intensifying. OpenAI's revenue has reportedly more than doubled since July, with annualized revenue approaching $70 billion, according to Axios, which cited sources. While Anthropic still holds a market advantage, Axios noted that OpenAI is gradually closing the gap.
Despite growing safety concerns in the AI industry, OpenAI is accelerating the release of new products. At the developer event, OpenAI introduced 'Dots,' a competitor to Meta's popular agent AI 'Muse,' and launched a budget-friendly model, 'GPT-6.1 Sol,' which offers similar performance to its top-tier model at one-fifth the price. However, the release of the next-generation advanced AI model, 'GPT-6.1 Astra,' has been delayed due to safety concerns.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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