OpenAI's revenue skyrockets 233% to $20B in 2025
What's the story
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) research lab behind ChatGPT, has posted a massive jump in its annual revenue. In a recent blog post, the company's Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar revealed that OpenAI's annualized revenue for 2025 has exceeded $20 billion. This is a significant increase from the $6 billion posted in 2024. The growth of the company closely follows an expansion in its computing capacity.
Growth metrics
OpenAI's computing capacity and user engagement
Friar also shared that OpenAI's computing capacity has jumped from 0.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 to 1.9 GW in 2025. The increase in computing power has contributed to the company's revenue growth. Furthermore, she noted that the number of weekly and daily active users for the company continues to hit new records, indicating a strong market demand for its services.
Revenue strategy
OpenAI introduces ads in ChatGPT
To further boost its revenue, OpenAI recently announced plans to start showing ads in ChatGPT for some users in the United States. The move is part of the company's strategy to monetize its AI chatbot and cover the high costs associated with developing this advanced technology. The company is also working on launching its first device by the second half of 2026, according to Chris Lehane, OpenAI's policy chief.
Strategic direction
OpenAI's future focus and strategy
Looking ahead, Friar said OpenAI's platform will continue to cover text, images, voice, code, and APIs. The next phase of development will emphasize agents and workflow automation that run continuously while carrying context over time. For 2026, the company plans to focus on "practical adoption," especially in health, science, and enterprise sectors. To maintain a "light" balance sheet, OpenAI is opting for partnerships instead of ownerships while structuring flexible contracts across providers and hardware types.