OpenAI triples revenue to 20 billion dollars

OpenAI has more than tripled its revenue in 2025. Last year it reached 20 billion dollars, as CFO Sarah Friar announced in a blog post. In 2024, the ChatGPT developer’s revenue was still six billion dollars. Computing power rose in parallel from 0.6 gigawatts in the previous year to 1.9 gigawatts — also a tripling. Since 2023, when OpenAI had 0.2 gigawatts available, that represents a 9.5-fold increase.

“Investments in computing power enable cutting-edge research and breakthrough advances in model capacity. More powerful models enable better products and broader adoption of the OpenAI platform. Adoption drives revenue, and revenue funds the next wave of computing power and innovation. The cycle reinforces itself,” Friar said.

Course correction: ChatGPT with advertising

Despite the growth figures, OpenAI is making a strategic turnaround. Starting this week, the AI company is testing advertising in ChatGPT – initially limited to the USA. The decision marks a clear shift in course: as recently as October 2024, CEO Sam Altman had reaffirmed his personal rejection of advertising.

In early December 2025, Altman declared “red alert” due to growing competitive pressure from Google status. In this context, more resources were to be allocated to improving ChatGPT – and planned advertising activities were postponed.

Sarah Friar announced that the next development stage would go beyond subscriptions and advertising. As AI enters scientific research, drug development, energy systems, and financial modeling, new business models emerge. “Licensing, IP-based agreements, and outcome-based pricing will share in the value created,” the CFO explained.

Computing power as a bottleneck

“Computing power is the scarcest resource in AI,” Friar emphasized. Access to computing power determines who can scale. OpenAI manages this through a lean balance sheet, partnerships instead of acquisitions, and flexible contracts across providers and hardware types.

For 2026, Friar announced a focus on “practical application.” “The priority is to close the gap between what AI enables today and the way people, companies, and countries use it daily.”

OpenAI sees particular potential in the areas of health, science, and business. “The next phase includes agents and workflow automation that run continuously, maintain context over extended periods, and take action across tools,” the CFO said.