"OpenAI to Face 386 Trillion Won Shortfall by 2030 Despite Tenfold Revenue Growth"

FT Reports Citing Investor Materials

OpenAI, the developer of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) service "ChatGPT," is projected to exhaust 386 trillion won in cash by 2030. Analysts believe that even if revenue increases nearly tenfold during the same period, it will not be enough to cover the massive costs required for data centers and computing infrastructure.

ChatGPT Logo. Reuters Yonhap News

According to recent investor materials obtained by the Financial Times (FT) on September 19 (local time), OpenAI expects to record a total free cash flow deficit of $278 billion (approximately 386 trillion won) over the five-year period from 2026 to 2030.

The company predicts that its revenue, which stands at $36 billion this year, will increase to $350 billion by 2030. The accumulated revenue between now and the end of 2030 is expected to reach $840 billion. In contrast, OpenAI plans to invest approximately $856 billion in computing power and infrastructure by 2030, which is the largest single cost item.

OpenAI is pouring substantial capital into computing resources such as data centers and cutting-edge semiconductors to train and operate large language models. Competition with U.S. rival Anthropic has intensified, and the spread of low-cost "open weight" AI models from China is increasing pressure to lower prices.

Although OpenAI raised $122 billion last March, it is expected that at the current rate of spending, these funds will run out by 2028.

OpenAI is reportedly seeking another round of large-scale investment. According to the FT, investors have approached the company to discuss new funding, based on a company valuation of $1.2 trillion. OpenAI's current valuation is estimated at approximately $852 billion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.