OpenAI executives, including CEO Sam Altman and CFO Sarah Friar, recently addressed the challenge of financing their substantial $1.4 trillion data center commitments. Despite a growing revenue stream projected at $20 billion annually, Friar proposed that the U.S. government could “backstop” infrastructure loans to reduce costs and ensure access to cutting-edge chip technology. This suggestion sparked criticism, leading Friar to clarify that OpenAI is not actively seeking a government bailout. Instead, Altman emphasized the importance of private financing without government intervention, asserting that taxpayers shouldn’t support poor business decisions. Moreover, both executives believe in the potential for substantial growth, expecting revenues to soar to hundreds of billions by 2030. They aim to establish an ecosystem involving banks and private equity firms to secure necessary funding. With AI deemed a national strategic asset, discussions about financing the tech industry continue to evolve amid public skepticism.
Source link
