To support its ambitious plans, OpenAI is preparing a $40 billion funding round, with SoftBank potentially contributing $30 billion, which would value the company at $260 billion.

By the end of the decade, OpenAI anticipates that the costs of running AI models will surpass those of AI training, signaling a significant shift in its computing strategy.

The decision to move away from Microsoft is also influenced by potential conflicts of interest as Microsoft intensifies its focus on in-house AI research.

The Stargate project aims to construct data centers with a total capacity of 8 gigawatts, matching the scale of major cloud providers.

OpenAI is set to transition its AI computing power from Microsoft to the SoftBank-backed Stargate project by 2030, aiming for 75% of its computing needs to be met by this new partnership.

This strategic shift reflects OpenAI's desire for greater control and diversification of its computing resources, particularly in light of rising operational costs.

To keep pace with competitors, OpenAI began collaborating with Oracle in mid-2024 for additional computing capacity, driven by concerns about Microsoft's server delivery speed.

Despite these challenges, OpenAI is experiencing rapid growth, reporting over 400 million weekly active users and a fivefold increase in API usage since the launch of its o3-mini model.

OpenAI's financial outlook shows a sharp increase in cash burn, projected to reach nearly $7 billion in 2025 and peak at around $20 billion by 2027, with profitability not expected until later in the decade.

Ultimately, the success of OpenAI's transition to SoftBank will be crucial for its future in the AI industry, as it could either solidify its position as a leading innovator or present new challenges.

Despite the shift to Stargate, OpenAI's spending with Microsoft is projected to increase significantly, from $13 billion in 2025 to $28 billion by 2028, indicating ongoing financial ties.

While OpenAI and Microsoft share a common vision for AI, their approaches differ, with OpenAI aggressively securing computing resources compared to Microsoft's more cautious strategy.