Openai In Talks For Share Sale Valuing Startup At 500 Billio
BloombergAUG 8
OpenAI Seeks $500B Valuation in Employee Share Sale Talks
Above: Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI, speaks in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Image copyright: Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The $500 billion valuation reflects OpenAI's incredible momentum and market dominance in generative AI. ChatGPT's explosive user growth to 700 million weekly users and revenue doubling to $13 billion annually proves the company's technology leadership. This secondary sale rewards employees while positioning OpenAI as the clear winner in the AI race.
Narrative B
In light of the lucrative price tag, one has to wonder if OpenAI is abandoning its non-profit structure and commitment to AI development for the common good. The record suggests that the company is making overtures of abandoning its prior pledges on this front and is looking to privatize the fruits of the AI boom. Investor interests are likely to become paramount at OpenAI going forward.