Introduction
OpenAI’s annualized revenue is reportedly approaching $50 billion, around $20 billion below the figure previously reported by several media outlets. The updated estimate has raised questions about how the company’s revenue is calculated and how its financial performance compares with rival AI company Anthropic.
According to the Financial Times, OpenAI recently shared the updated figure with investors, following reports in late September that its annualized revenue was approaching $70 billion.
What Happened?
The earlier $70 billion estimate was based on information shared with OpenAI investors and attempts to compare the company’s revenue directly with Anthropic’s reported figures.
However, the two AI companies use different methods to calculate annualized revenue. Anthropic includes sales made through cloud partners such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, while OpenAI does not include those partner sales in the same way.
This difference appears to have contributed to the gap between the previously reported estimate and OpenAI’s latest figure.
Why Does the Revenue Difference Matter?
OpenAI has attracted substantial investment to develop its AI models, expand ChatGPT, and build the computing infrastructure needed to support its products.
Investors closely monitor revenue growth to understand whether the company can generate enough business to support its spending and long-term expansion plans.
A difference of $20 billion between reported estimates is significant, particularly as AI companies compete for customers, computing resources, and investment.
However, the revised estimate does not necessarily mean OpenAI has lost $20 billion in revenue. Instead, the discrepancy appears to be related to how the figures were calculated and compared.
How Does OpenAI Compare With Anthropic?
OpenAI and Anthropic are major competitors in the generative AI market. OpenAI develops ChatGPT and other AI products, while Anthropic is known for its Claude AI assistant.
Their reported revenue figures have attracted considerable attention as both companies expand their AI services and compete for enterprise customers.
However, comparing their annualized revenue requires understanding what each company includes in its calculations. Without consistent reporting methods, headline figures can give investors an incomplete picture of their relative performance.
What Happens Next?
OpenAI’s revenue growth and spending will remain important topics for investors as the company continues expanding its AI business.
The latest report also highlights the challenges of evaluating private AI companies when detailed financial information is not publicly available.
Investors will be watching for further financial disclosures that clarify the company’s revenue, expenses, and future growth expectations.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s reported annualized revenue of nearly $50 billion is lower than the $70 billion figure previously reported. However, differences in how OpenAI and Anthropic calculate revenue help explain why the estimates do not align.
The development highlights the importance of looking beyond headline numbers when comparing AI companies, particularly as they attract large investments and compete in a rapidly growing market.