OpenAI, the leading artificial intelligence research lab, is reportedly preparing for a major round of funding. Tech giants Apple and Nvidia could be among the new investors.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Apple is in discussions to invest in OpenAI as part of its plans to integrate ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot, into its iOS operating system. Shortly after, Bloomberg confirmed that Apple was exploring the investment opportunity and added that Nvidia had shown interest in joining the funding round. This round, in which Thrive Capital is leading, is expected to value OpenAI at over US$100 billion.
Apple and Nvidia's interest in AI technology
The involvement of Apple and Nvidia in OpenAI's funding is not unexpected. Apple has already expressed its intention to integrate ChatGPT with Siri, its virtual assistant, later this year. There were also talks about Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, potentially joining OpenAI's board, though this plan appears to have been shelved. Meanwhile, Nvidia is a crucial supplier for OpenAI, providing the high-performance chips essential for powering its AI services.
Apple and Nvidia's possible investments highlight their growing interest in artificial intelligence technologies and their potential applications. Apple's focus on enhancing Siri's capabilities with AI reflects its commitment to improving the user experience and keeping up with the latest technological advancements. Similarly, Nvidia, as a major player in the hardware sector, benefits significantly from its association with OpenAI, as it continues to be a key provider of the graphics processing units (GPUs) used in training complex AI models.
Microsoft may join the funding round
According to Bloomberg, in addition to Apple and Nvidia, Microsoft is also reportedly in talks to participate in the funding round. Microsoft has already made significant investments in OpenAI, committing US$1 billion in 2019 and following up with a multibillion-dollar investment earlier in 2023. This partnership has allowed Microsoft to integrate OpenAI's technologies into its products, including its Azure cloud services and Microsoft Office suite.
If the funding round proceeds as expected, it could further solidify Microsoft's position as a key partner to OpenAI, potentially providing the company with even more resources to expand its AI capabilities. This could also lead to closer collaborations between the tech giants, particularly in areas where their products and services intersect.
No immediate comment from the companies
As of now, Apple and OpenAI have not responded to requests for comment on the reported discussions. Nvidia and Microsoft have also declined to comment on their potential involvement in the funding round. With negotiations still underway, it remains to be seen how this round of funding will unfold and its impact on the future of AI development.
The prospect of Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft joining forces to back OpenAI underscores the growing significance of artificial intelligence in the tech industry. A successful funding round could provide OpenAI with a substantial boost, enabling it to accelerate its research and development efforts and continue to lead in the AI field.
