OpenAI Eyes $40B Funding from Saudi, Indian Investors
News Desk
San Francisco: OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence firm behind ChatGPT and DALL·E, is in advanced talks to raise approximately $40 billion in fresh capital from investors in Saudi Arabia, India, and the United Arab Emirates, according to a report by The Information.
The proposed funding round — potentially one of the largest in the tech industry in recent years — is intended to accelerate OpenAI’s development of cutting-edge AI models and support its massive infrastructure initiative, codenamed Stargate. The project is being led in part by Japanese investment giant SoftBank.
Key participants in the ongoing discussions reportedly include Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF); India’s Reliance Industries; and UAE-based investment firm MGX, which is already an existing OpenAI shareholder. Each of these backers is expected to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sources indicate that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has personally engaged in high-level meetings with regional stakeholders in recent months. Earlier this year, Altman met with India’s IT Minister to explore building a low-cost AI ecosystem in India. He also visited the UAE for discussions with MGX on future collaboration.
In addition to interest from Middle Eastern and South Asian investors, U.S.-based investment firms Coatue Management and Founders Fund are also expected to join the round, each likely committing at least $100 million. The broader funding effort may eventually include a future commitment of up to $17 billion by 2027, aligned with OpenAI’s long-term infrastructure and research goals.
The Stargate initiative — reportedly developed in partnership with Microsoft — aims to build next-generation AI training facilities and expand global computing capabilities over the coming years. As demand for advanced AI tools continues to surge worldwide, OpenAI’s plans signal its intent to remain a dominant force in the rapidly evolving field.
The expected infusion of capital from strategic investors in the Middle East and South Asia underscores a growing global competition to shape the future of artificial intelligence and its governance.
