OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently hinted that the company is earning far more than $13 billion annually, yet he avoided giving exact figures when questioned about its massive financial obligations. Speaking alongside Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on the Bg2 podcast, Altman appeared frustrated when asked how OpenAI plans to fund its extensive computing infrastructure.
The discussion came as investors and analysts scrutinize OpenAI’s ambitious roadmap, which includes more than $1 trillion in spending commitments over the next decade. These investments are critical for building advanced computing systems capable of sustaining the growing demand for AI models like GPT-5 and beyond. However, the magnitude of this spending has led to heightened skepticism about its sustainability.
Altman countered criticism by expressing confidence in the company’s financial trajectory, noting that OpenAI’s revenue growth remains strong. He emphasized the company’s stability and dismissed claims suggesting potential financial strain. “We’re doing well more revenue than that,” Altman asserted, reinforcing his belief that OpenAI’s valuation and investor interest remain exceptionally high.
The OpenAI chief also took aim at skeptics who publicly question the company’s direction, suggesting that many of them would eagerly invest if given the chance. He described rare moments when he wishes OpenAI were a publicly traded entity, mainly to allow critics to short the stock and see the actual strength of its business performance tested in markets.
Despite his confident tone, Altman acknowledged challenges that could affect OpenAI’s long-term success. He pointed to the need for consistent access to computing resources and responsible growth as potential weak points. Still, he stressed that revenues are growing rapidly, reaffirming that OpenAI’s position in the global AI race remains both secure and aggressively forward-looking.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said that the company is doing “well more” than $13 billion in annual revenue — and he sounded a little testy when pressed on how it will pay for its massive spending commitments. https://t.co/tqquHx7TVL
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) November 2, 2025
