The development follows a new deal with Microsoft, removing previous restrictions on OpenAI’s fundraising capacity and marking a pivotal step in the company’s evolution from a non-profit research lab into a global tech powerhouse.
Altman’s ambitions are nothing short of monumental. During a livestream on Tuesday, he revealed plans to build 30 gigawatts of AI computing infrastructure valued at $1.4 trillion, with the ultimate goal of adding one gigawatt of computing power every week — a target analysts have described as unprecedented in scale.
“AI is a sport of kings,” said Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, underscoring the capital-intensive race among global technology leaders. “Altman understands that to compete in AI he will need to achieve a much bigger scale than OpenAI currently operates at.”
A New Corporate Era for OpenAI
The restructuring signals a broader shift in OpenAI’s mission and structure. The newly created OpenAI Foundation will guide the company’s long-term goals, including projects aimed at curing diseases and strengthening “AI resilience.” However, questions remain about how the still loss-making firm plans to finance these expansive goals.
The move also cements OpenAI’s transformation into one of Silicon Valley’s most ambitious enterprises. What began as a research-driven organization dedicated to “safe AI” has now grown into a $500 billion corporate entity, with expectations to hit an annual revenue run rate of $20 billion by the end of this year.
The Stargate Vision and Political Stagecraft
In January, Altman unveiled Project Stargate — a $500 billion AI infrastructure venture developed in partnership with Oracle, SoftBank, Nvidia, and CoreWeave. Standing beside U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Altman announced that the initiative would generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and dramatically expand America’s data center capacity.
Originally envisioned as a 10-gigawatt project, Stargate’s target has since tripled to 30 GW, reflecting Altman’s escalating ambitions. He has said that OpenAI will eventually need to reach hundreds of billions of dollars in annual revenue to sustain its vision — implying a tenfold growth trajectory.
From Research Lab to Global Powerhouse
Altman’s leadership has not been without controversy. A rift with co-founder Elon Musk — who has accused OpenAI of abandoning its nonprofit roots — led to a high-profile lawsuit earlier this year. Several former employees have echoed Musk’s concerns, questioning whether Altman’s commercial drive might overshadow safety commitments.
Still, Altman’s influence on the tech industry is undeniable. The release of ChatGPT in late 2022 ignited a global AI revolution, forcing Big Tech competitors like Google, Meta, and Amazon to pour billions into their own AI systems.
A former Y Combinator president and early investor in Stripe and Airbnb, Altman has built a reputation for audacity and vision. Despite earning just $76,000 a year from OpenAI and holding no equity in the company, his net worth continues to grow through strategic investments across the AI ecosystem.
On the Road to an IPO — and the Big Screen
Altman has hinted that an initial public offering (IPO) is now the most likely path for OpenAI, a move that would give the company access to the massive capital needed for its infrastructure ambitions.
His dramatic tenure — including a brief ouster and reinstatement in 2023 — will soon be immortalized in Hollywood. A film titled “Artificial”, starring Andrew Garfield as Altman, is set for release next year, chronicling the internal power struggles that shaped the future of one of Silicon Valley’s most consequential companies.
As Altman pushes OpenAI into a new phase of global expansion, his sweeping plans — from multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure projects to corporate reinvention — are redefining what’s possible in the race to dominate artificial intelligence.