OpenAI Revenue Soars 16% in H1 2025 Amid Heavy AI Investment

OpenAI reported $4.3 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025, marking a 16% increase over its full-year 2024 performance. The artificial intelligence powerhouse disclosed $2.5 billion in research costs for developing ChatGPT and other AI systems, though conflicting reports suggest actual R&D expenses may have reached $6.7 billion.

The company holds $17.5 billion in cash reserves as it pursues ambitious full-year targets of $13 billion revenue and $8.5 billion cash burn. OpenAI's potential $500 billion valuation in upcoming employee stock sales underscores the stratospheric growth expectations surrounding AI development.

Nvidia's planned $100 billion investment in OpenAI has intensified concerns about an AI valuation bubble. The chipmaker's parallel $5 billion commitment to Intel reflects the fierce competition for dominance in AI infrastructure, with implications for adjacent technologies including cryptocurrency and blockchain platforms.