OpenAI forecasts cash burn near $280 billion by 2030, FT reports
OpenAI expects negative free cash flow of $278 billion between 2026 and 2030, according to internal documents reported by the Financial Times. The company forecasts computing and infrastructure spending to reach approximately $856 billion by 2030. To offset these costs, OpenAI projects annual revenue will grow from $36 billion in 2026 to $350 billion by 2030. Simultaneously, the company is considering a new funding round with valuations reported between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion to sustain its operations and infrastructure expansion.
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- ✓ OpenAI forecasts negative free cash flow of $278 billion from 2026 through 2030.
- ✓ OpenAI is considering a new funding round at a valuation of up to $1.5 trillion.
- ✓ Projected spending on infrastructure and computing power totals about $856 billion through 2030.
- ✓ OpenAI forecasts annual revenue to rise from $36 billion in 2026 to $350 billion in 2030.
What changed
Internal projections reveal a $278 billion free cash flow deficit and a potential new funding round at a valuation up to $1.5 trillion.
Live updates
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OpenAI projects $278 billion cash burn through 2030
OpenAI expects negative free cash flow of $278 billion between 2026 and 2030, according to internal documents reported by the Financial Times. The company forecasts computing and infrastructure spending to reach approximately $856 billion by 2030. To offset these costs, OpenAI projects annual revenue will grow from $36 billion in 2026 to $350 billion by 2030. Simultaneously, the company is considering a new funding round with valuations reported between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion to sustain its operations and infrastructure expansion.
Why it matters
The massive scale of projected spending reflects the high cost of computing power required for advanced AI models. This financial trajectory highlights the gap between rapid revenue growth and the capital intensity of AI infrastructure.
What is confirmed
- OpenAI forecasts negative free cash flow of $278 billion from 2026 through 2030.
- OpenAI is considering a new funding round at a valuation of up to $1.5 trillion.
- Projected spending on infrastructure and computing power totals about $856 billion through 2030.
- OpenAI forecasts annual revenue to rise from $36 billion in 2026 to $350 billion in 2030.
Still unconfirmed
- OpenAI is considering a pre-IPO funding round at a valuation of more than $1.2 trillion.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the final valuation for the new funding round
- Official company statement regarding the $278 billion cash burn projection
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- The New York Times — OpenAI Considers New Financing at a $1.5 Trillion Valuation
- Forbes — OpenAI Is Reportedly Weighing New Funding Round At A Valuation Of Upto $1.5 Trillion
- wsj.com — OpenAI Considers Pre-IPO Funding Round at More Than $1.2 Trillion Valuation
- Financial Times — OpenAI expects to burn $280bn by 2030
- Bloomberg.com — OpenAI Sees Burning Through $278 Billion by 2030: FT
- The Information — OpenAI’s Next Round
- Reuters — OpenAI forecasts cash burn near $280 billion by 2030, FT reports
- Yahoo Finance — Macquarie Says OpenAI Signals AI Boom Still Has Legs
- www.pymnts.com — OpenAI’s Cash Burn Could Approach $280 Billion by 2030
- note.com — OpenAIは売上10倍でも「28兆円超の赤字」？ AIが普通のIT企業と違う理由
- www.marketscreener.com — Asian tech stocks rise on AI optimism; Trump-Xi meeting in focus
- note.com — 26 sectors rise, resource stocks stall. Yen weakens even after BOJ rate hike | Weekly Sector Observation
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