“MS-Apple-Nvidia… Global Big Tech Discusses Investment in OpenAI ‘Trillion Units'”
▲ OpenAI. 231208 AP/Newsis. ⓒNewsis
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 29th (local time) that Apple, which has ChatGPT installed on its iPhone, and AI chip leader Nvidia are considering investing in OpenAI.
According to sources, OpenAI and Nvidia are currently seeking funding led by Thrive Capital, a famous U.S. venture capital firm, and Apple is discussing participating in the effort.
The WSJ previously reported that Thrive Capital would invest about $1 billion (about 1.3 trillion won) in this funding. This is the largest amount since the previous largest investor, Microsoft (MS), invested $10 billion in January last year. MS is also expected to invest additional funds, the WSJ reported.
Since 2019, Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI, owning a 49% stake. Apple and Nvidia will also invest in OpenAI, of which Microsoft is the majority shareholder.
The specific investment amount was not disclosed, but the WSJ estimated that each of these big tech companies will invest tens of billions of dollars (trillions of won).
The WSJ analyzed that the recent investment discussions between Apple and Nvidia are intended to solidify the relationship with essential partners to lay the foundation for the intensifying competition in AI.
Apple is planning to add AI features to its latest smartphone, the iPhone 16, which will be released next month, and for this purpose, it signed a partnership with OpenAI in June. It plans to integrate ChatGPT into its voice assistant, Siri, and upgrade it into an AI assistant that can answer questions while conversing with users. The specific size of the financial transaction through the partnership was not disclosed at the time.
Nvidia, which accounts for 80% of the global AI chip market, has been working closely with OpenAI for a long time, the WSJ reported.
Over the past two years, NVIDIA has invested in startups related to AI drug development and robotics, including Inflexion AI.
In Apple’s case, it invested $1 billion in Chinese Uber-like startup Didi Chuxing in 2016, but in the meantime, it has invested in manufacturing partners to secure a smoother supply of device components than startups.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is reported to be valued at over $100 billion in this funding round. Compared to its valuation of $29 billion (approximately 38 trillion won) early last year, its value has more than tripled in just a year and a half.