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OpenAI logo: After the impressive products, an impressive business model is now being sought
Photo: Jonathan Raa / NurPhoto / IMAGO
The chatbot ChatGPT and the underlying language model GPT-3 have been causing a sensation for weeks: millions are using the previously free OpenAI technology to create texts, do homework or invent new recipes.
Investor interest is now following the onslaught of users.
As "Semafor" reports, citing informed but anonymous circles, Microsoft is currently in talks to invest ten billion dollars (9.3 billion euros) in OpenAI.
The IT group from Redmond was one of the early supporters of OpenAI and not only invested a billion dollars, but also provides its cloud infrastructure for computationally intensive applications such as ChatGPT or the image generator DALL-E.
In return, Microsoft received an exclusive license to use GPT-3.
The technology is to be integrated into the core business in the future.
There is speculation about an integration of the technology in Microsoft's search engine Bing, as well as in the Office products.
Microsoft secures profits
Microsoft and OpenAI have not yet responded to the report.
Semafor is already giving details, citing insiders.
Microsoft plans to take a 49 percent stake in OpenAI, but also collect 75 percent of OpenAI's profits until it recovers its initial investment.
Those wins are still a long way off.
Currently, OpenAI mainly produces costs.
Every request at ChatGPT consumes computing time, which is currently hardly opposed by income.
Apple's App Store currently shows that many users would definitely pay for the service.
As "MacRumors" reports, several providers have released paid apps that resell the service, which is actually free, or market their own, inferior chat bots under the OpenAI name.
One app that offers annual subscriptions for just under $50 is currently one of the best-selling productivity apps.
With the cash injection from Microsoft, the company co-founded by Tesla boss Elon Musk would be valued at around $29 billion.
Venture capitalists are also expected to participate in the deal.
The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that OpenAI intends to sell existing shares based on this company value.
Venture capital firms such as Thrive Capital and Founders Fund Aktien are said to be among those interested.
tmk/Reuters