OpenAI Raises $6.6B, Reaches 250M Users Weekly, and Plans Major AI Infrastructure Expansion
October 29, 2024
During the Money20/20 conference in Las Vegas, CFO Sarah Friar expressed enthusiasm about the rapid growth of consumer subscriptions, highlighting that the company has 250 million weekly active users.
Friar noted that OpenAI has a conversion rate of 5% to 6% from free to paid subscriptions, indicating a strong consumer base.
The paid subscription plan for OpenAI's ChatGPT starts at $20 per month, making it accessible for many users.
As of September, OpenAI reported reaching 1 million paid users for its corporate versions of ChatGPT, including ChatGPT Team and Enterprise services.
CFO Sarah Friar revealed that approximately 75% of OpenAI's revenue is generated from consumer subscriptions, showcasing the importance of this segment.
Despite the rapid revenue growth, OpenAI faces significant expenses related to the development and operation of advanced AI systems.
Earlier this month, OpenAI successfully closed a substantial $6.6 billion fundraising round and secured a $4 billion revolving line of credit from global banks.
Friar emphasized the company's commitment to advancing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the benefit of humanity, underscoring the importance of staying at the forefront of AI development.
To support its ambitious goals, OpenAI is forming a global coalition to invest in physical infrastructure necessary for AI, including a proposed data center build-out in the U.S. capable of generating up to 5 gigawatts.
Friar acknowledged the challenges associated with infrastructure development, stating that 'infrastructure is destiny' in the context of AI.
Although OpenAI's enterprise services are still in their early stages, they are already generating significant annualized revenue.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources

Yahoo Finance • Oct 28, 2024
OpenAI CFO Says 75% of Its Revenue Comes From Paying Consumers
Yahoo Finance • Oct 28, 2024
OpenAI CFO Says 75% of Its Revenue Comes From Paying Consumers
Business Standard • Oct 28, 2024
OpenAI's 75% of revenue comes from paying consumers: CFO Sarah Friar
Gulf News • Oct 28, 2024
OpenAI CFO says 75 per cent of its revenue comes from paying consumers