According to sources cited by the New York Times, Microsoft-backed OpenAI has completed a deal that values the artificial intelligence company at $80 billion or more.
Employees Offered Opportunity to Cash Out Shares
The report states that in this transaction, OpenAI opted for a tender offer, allowing employees to sell existing shares instead of pursuing a traditional funding round.
Last year, OpenAI entered a similar agreement with venture capital firms, including Thrive Capital, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and K2 Global, which are valued at approximately $29 billion.
Impact of ChatGPT Launch:
The launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022 sparked significant interest in AI, prompting companies to explore its potential applications.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly been discussing securing funds for a chip venture to enhance the world’s chip-building capacity to support new AI-related tools.