OpenAI reportedly aims to reach 1 billion users by 2025 by deploying new artificial intelligence products (AI), is building its own data centers and strengthening its crucial partnership with Apple to drive its next phase of growth. AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT has acquired 250 million weekly active users since its launch and plans to expand further by launching AI “agents,” a proprietary AI-powered search engine, and integration more in-depth look at ChatGPT with Apple devices.
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Recent funding from OpenAI
“We are going to become a research laboratory serving millions of people and hoping that this can reach billions of consumers around the world,” the Financial Times quoted him as saying. Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAIas they say.
In October, the company raised more than $6 billion in funding at a valuation of $150 billion, making it the most valuable startup in Silicon Valley history. Brother said OpenAI plans to continue raising “more money” – both equity and debt – to fuel its growth, which includes building data centers in the Midwest and Southwest. UNITED STATES.
“We put ten billion in cash on the balance sheet. So that was my way of saying, hey, I’m going to move things forward too,” she was quoted as saying, adding “We’re in a phase of massive growth, that’s on us.” . we must continue to invest. We must be at the cutting edge when it comes to models. It’s expensive.
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Building the infrastructure for AI
To meet its expansion goals, OpenAI plans to invest in building data center clusters in parts of the Midwest and Southwest United States, according to Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s new head of policy.
According to the report, this move to develop its own AI infrastructure follows strategies employed by large technology companies such as Google and Amazon. Lehane stressed that “chips, data and energy” are the essential resources to win the AI race.
OpenAI onboarded its first financial and product managers, increased its workforce fivefold to more than 2,000 people, and triggered a complex transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit business model, the report added.
The company spends more than $5 billion a year, and is “not close to breaking even” due to the costs of building AI models, according to people with knowledge of the group’s finances. .
“In recent years, we have experienced a very important inflection point in the quality of intelligence that can now be transformed into products that are actually useful to people,” the report cites. Srinivas Narayanan, VP of Engineering at OpenAIwho joined Meta last year. “That’s why I’m here,” he added.
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Key objective for 2025
OpenAI’s main goal for 2025 includes launching “AI agents” – advanced chatbot-like assistants capable of performing a variety of tasks, from booking services to gathering information or making purchases . Brother said 2025 could see the first high-performing agents helping users with their daily needs.
“Agentic has to be the word of the year. It could be a finder, a useful assistant for ordinary people, working mothers like me. In 2025, we will see the first high-performance agents deployed to helping people in their daily tasks,” the report quotes. Brother as said.
Integration with Apple
Integration with Apple devices, which began in the United States last month, is expected to significantly boost user growth. According to the report, one of OpenAI’s top venture capitalists said the company could quickly reach its goal of 1 billion users by leveraging Apple’s 2 billion global iPhone base .
“OpenAI already has a few hundred million active users today without marketing spend,” the investor noted, according to the report. “Apple has 2 billion iPhones worldwide and wants to launch a new phone with AI. The path to reaching 1 billion users with ChatGPT in their pocket is not that far-fetched. If you reach that threshold, you You’re competing with Google and Facebook.”
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Politically charged environment
According to the report, OpenAI’s expansion comes amid a politically charged environment. Chris LehaneThe company’s senior policy officer and policy strategist, is working with U.S. policymakers to position OpenAI as a leader in “democratic” AI, with the goal of countering China’s technological advancements.
Lehane revealed that OpenAI has engaged with the new Trump administration to discuss the importance of AI to national security and economic competitiveness.
Despite ongoing tensions with former co-founder Elon Musk, including a lawsuit in which Musk alleges deception by OpenAI, Lehane highlighted the company’s alignment with federal AI leadership priorities.
