The sudden ouster and return of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman did not slow the technology startup's growth, as the developer of the ChatGPT AI chatbot reported $1.6 billion in earnings.
Sources told The Information that this sum eclipsed the mid-October milestone of $1.3 billion, a 20% increase in two months, as reported by Firstpost. Insiders familiar with the matter shared these elevated revenue figures, signifying sustained growth since the launch of ChatGPT in February.
The platform has witnessed a continuous increase in user subscriptions, with recent data pointing to a staggering monthly revenue potential of up to $130 million. This dynamic financial performance positions OpenAI favorably compared to its 2022 standing.
Sam Altman speaks onstage during A Year In TIME at The Plaza Hotel on December 12, 2023 in New York City.
The data reveals that OpenAI's revenue for the preceding 12-month period was a modest $28 million. The most recent figures suggest a 5,700% year-over-year revenue increase, which should entice investors. The report stated that OpenAI may seek $100 billion in investment, citing Bloomberg. Unknown partners are being considered.
Moreover, OpenAI is reportedly entering the custom chip industry and is in talks with Abu Dhabi-based G42 for $8-10 billion in initial investment.
New York Times Sues OpenAI, Microsoft
Meanwhile, the New York Times filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI, alleging copyright infringement and misuse of the newspaper's intellectual property, CNBC reported.
Filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the case seeks to hold both tech companies accountable for "billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages" for the alleged "unlawful copying and use" of The Times's proprietary works.
While acknowledging the potential of AI for the public and journalism, The publication insists on appropriate permissions and compensation for commercial use. The newspaper argues that if Microsoft and OpenAI wish to utilize their work for commercial purposes, they must obtain permission per copyright laws, a step it claims the companies have not taken.
OpenAI expressed surprise and disappointment, stating ongoing constructive conversations with The New York Times and a commitment to mutually beneficial collaboration with content creators.
OpenAI Facing Multiple Lawsuits
According to the BBC, a group of American authors started parallel copyright infringement cases in September, involving well-known individuals like George RR Martin and John Grisham. Before this, comedian Sarah Silverman filed legal action in July, and authors Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman signed an open letter urging AI companies to compensate them for utilizing their creations.
OpenAI, along with Microsoft and GitHub, is also confronting a lawsuit from computing experts who allege unauthorized use of their code to train the AI Copilot.
Numerous lawsuits targeting developers of generative AI capable of creating media from text prompts are underway, with artists suing Stability AI and Midjourney in January, asserting that these AI systems rely on copyrighted artwork for functionality. None of these lawsuits have been settled.
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