Media reports on Thursday indicated that tech giants Apple and Nvidia are in discussions to invest in OpenAI as part of a new fundraising round that may elevate the valuation of the ChatGPT creator to over $100 billion.
The Wall Street Journal initially disclosed Apple’s potential interest, while Bloomberg News highlighted Nvidia’s prospective participation.
These developments emerged shortly after reports from The Wall Street Journal revealed that venture capital firm Thrive Capital was poised to inject approximately $1 billion into OpenAI, spearheading the fund collection efforts.
Meanwhile, despite requests for comments from Reuters, Apple and OpenAI refrained from immediate responses, while Thrive Capital, Nvidia, and Microsoft opted not to comment.
Apple has been integrating OpenAI significantly into its artificial intelligence strategy, recently introducing the AI firm’s chatbot, ChatGPT, to Apple devices in June under the banner of “Apple Intelligence.” Additionally, reports suggest that Apple will secure an observer role on the board of OpenAI.
On the other hand, Microsoft, as OpenAI’s primary strategic investor with investments exceeding $10 billion, is also anticipated to engage in the fundraising activities, as indicated in The Wall Street Journal report.
The specific amounts of investments from Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia have not been disclosed.
The elevated valuation of OpenAI can be attributed to the intense competition spurred by the introduction of ChatGPT at the end of 2022. This move ignited an AI arms race compelling companies across various sectors to allocate significant funds towards AI technologies to remain competitive and seize market shares.
OpenAI’s recent valuation surge to $80 billion in February underlines its pivotal role in driving advancements within the AI landscape, with the funding rounds and investor engagements reflecting the industry’s recognition of its potential and market influence.
