OpenAI forecasts $278 billion cash burn by 2030 as it invests in AI infrastructure

On September 18, 2026, the Financial Times reported that OpenAI expects to burn through $278 billion in cash between 2026 and 2030, according to a company presentation. The spending is driven by investments in computing power and infrastructure. OpenAI projects revenue to increase from $36 billion this year to $350 billion in 2030, with cumulative revenue of $840 billion. The company raised $122 billion in March at an $852 billion valuation but may exhaust that cash by 2028. CEO Sam Altman said OpenAI will not go public in 2026 due to AI safety concerns.