OpenAI is plotting a dramatic arc toward profitability through the end of the decade, but that growing won’t come without some pain. The company reportedly expects to rack up massive annual losses each year, including roughly $74 billion in operating losses in 2028 alone, then pivot to meaningful profits by 2030, according to financial documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
The documents, which were shared with investors this summer, reveal an aggressive growth strategy that hinges on massive upfront investment in computing infrastructure, chips and data centers—spending that CEO Sam Altman has described as necessary to meet what he sees as insatiable demand for AI capabilities. The company anticipates total spending of roughly $22 billion this year against $13 billion in sales, resulting in a net loss of $9 billion—meaning OpenAI spends approximately $1.69 for every dollar of revenue it generates.
