OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, recorded more than 5 trillion won in revenue last year and is expected to approach 20 trillion won this year.
On the 26th (local time), Bloomberg reported that OpenAI recorded a revenue of $3.7 billion (5.4 trillion won) last year, driven by an increase in paid subscribers. This is more than double the $1.6 billion level of 2023. Additionally, this year’s revenue is expected to reach $12.7 billion (18.6 trillion won), more than three times last year’s figure, and sources have indicated that it could reach $29.4 billion (43.2 trillion won) next year, more than double that of this year.
This year’s projected revenue is a 10% increase over the $11.6 billion that the New York Times (NYT) reported in September last year as OpenAI’s goal for 2025. The rapid increase in OpenAI’s revenue is due to a significant rise in paid subscribers. OpenAI has launched various paid subscription services, and as of September last year, the number of paid users for ChatGPT among corporations exceeded 1 million. Recently, OpenAI added a $200 monthly ChatGPT Pro option that allows access to premium artificial intelligence (AI) models, and is considering launching products that could cost several thousand dollars a month.
It is expected that by 2029, revenue will reach approximately $125 billion (183.7 trillion won), which is about 10 times this year's level. However, OpenAI is incurring significant expenses related to the development of advanced AI systems, including the costs of chips, data centers, and talent. Sources have added that OpenAI is not expected to achieve positive cash flow by 2029.
OpenAI is currently pursuing a plan to raise up to $40 billion with a market value of up to $300 billion through investments led by SoftBank, chaired by Masayoshi Son. The company is also in discussions with regulators to transition from a non-profit organization to a for-profit entity.