The artificial intelligence landscape is entering a new phase, with Bloomberg reporting that OpenAI is on the verge of closing a $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank. If completed, the transaction would not only rank among the largest in private capital history—it would mark a decisive shift in AI’s place in the global tech economy.
AI’s explosive growth: OpenAI’s rapid ascent, propelled by the launch of GPT-5, deep integration with Microsoft, and broad enterprise adoption of ChatGPT Enterprise, signals more than just commercial success. It’s a reflection of how generative AI has moved from experimental research to critical infrastructure across sectors including healthcare, law, media, finance, and education.
The rise of Big AI: The scale of the raise and the profile of the investors involved—including SoftBank, Magnetar, and Coatue—also underscores a new phase in AI investment: consolidation around a few dominant platforms. With fresh capital, OpenAI would be better positioned to accelerate innovation, scale infrastructure, and navigate global regulatory challenges. At the same time, competitors like Anthropic and Mistral are also raising funds at a rapid clip, intensifying the competitive landscape.
Hefty valuation: According to Bloomberg’s reporting, the funding—structured as a tender offer—would allow early investors and staff to sell shares, valuing OpenAI at approximately $300 billion. That would place it on par with some of the world’s largest public tech firms, despite remaining privately held.
