ചാറ്റ് ജിപിടിയുടെ നിർമ്മാതാക്കളായ ഓപ്പൺ എഐ തങ്ങളുടെ ഫണ്ടിംഗ് ലക്ഷ്യം 30 ബില്യൺ ഡോളറിൽ നിന്ന് 20 ബില്യൺ ഡോളറായി കുറച്ചു. ആർട്ടിഫിഷ്യൽ ഇന്റലിജൻസ് മേഖലയിലെ അമിത ചെലവും വിപണിയിലെ കടുത്ത മത്സരവുമാണ് നിക്ഷേപകരെ ആശങ്കപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത്. മെറ്റയുടെ ക്രെഡിറ്റ് റേറ്റിംഗ് കുറച്ചതും എഐ കമ്പനികളോടുള്ള നിക്ഷേപകരുടെ താൽപ്പര്യം കുറയാൻ കാരണമായിട്ടുണ്ട്.
ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has reportedly pared down its funding round by $10 billion to $20 billion for valuation of $1.25 trillion, according to a report by the Financial Times.
This is a reduction from the previous target of raising $30 billion for a valuation of $1.4 trillion, as per a Reuters report.
It added that the Sam Altman led AI startup has slashed the funding round target to complete the process before Anthrpic's IPO so as to make the most of a largely similar investor base.
Cut in funding raise: What is worrying investors?
Reuters noted that US tech stocks fell amid worries over AI spending by tech companies — the Nasdaq index slumped 2.9% on Friday, down 7.8% from its all-time closing high on 6 October.
According to a report by Traders Union, investors are becoming less enthusiatic about large, private deals for artificial intelligence companies. Further, there is competition from rival Anthropic's initial public offering (IPO) and also increased scrutiny over AI spending, it added.
Sources told the publication that OpenAI was set to pull less than the reduced $20 billion target at Friday's deadline for commitments as some investors slashed their allocations.
Notably, the worries are sector wide. S&P Global Ratings on Friday downgraded Meta's AA- credit rating to Negative, in an “early step” amid growing pressure from the tech giant's increased artificial intelligence (AI) related expenditures, Bloomberg reported.
S&P in a statement said the AI spending related strain on Meta's balance sheet and rising leverage (earnings relative to debt) were key factors that led to the decision, it added. The move comes as investors scrutinize Meta’s and other industry players’ ability to generate tangible returns from the massive investments they’ve been plowing into the AI buildout.
Who are expected to participate?
The largest partcipant is expected to be a UAE consortium, which includes the Arab state-backed MGX. The deal allows the startup option to lease new computing power in the Gulf region, it said.
As per the report, other investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue, Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital and SoftBank.
There is also expected to be a retail round for HNIs to buy into OpenAI during this $20 billion fundraising round, it added.
Founders Fund, OpenAI, Sequoia and SoftBank refused to give comments, while Andreessen Horowitz, Coatue and MGX did not immediately respond, as per the report.