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OpenAI Faces Financial Crisis, Risks Becoming Minor AI Player

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Analyst Sebastian Mallaby says OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, could run out of money within 18 months.
The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is investing heavily in resource-intensive models, with OpenAI, Google, and Meta competing for dominance.
Mallaby notes OpenAI lacks the financial backing of its competitors.
He predicts OpenAI could become a minor player in AI history as it burns cash, spending over $8 billion in 2025.

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Story summary

Analyst Sebastian Mallaby says OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, could run out of money within 18 months.
The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is investing heavily in resource-intensive models, with OpenAI, Google, and Meta competing for dominance.
Mallaby notes OpenAI lacks the financial backing of its competitors.
He predicts OpenAI could become a minor player in AI history as it burns cash, spending over $8 billion in 2025.