OpenAI, the developer of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT, has been valued at USD 500 billion (approximately KRW 700 trillion), making it the most valuable unlisted company in the world. It has surpassed SpaceX, the space company led by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, which is valued at USD 456 billion. Although OpenAI has not yet turned a profit, it is considered to be leading the AI investment boom by securing large contracts with companies such as the U.S. software and cloud company Oracle.

OpenAI recently completed a transaction involving the sale of shares held by its employees, as reported by Bloomberg News and CNBC on the 2nd (local time). The shares disposed of by current and former employees amount to approximately USD 6.6 billion (about KRW 9.3 trillion). These shares were purchased by investment firms such as Thrive Capital, Japan's SoftBank Group, Abu Dhabi-based MGX, and T. Rowe Price.

During the process of employees selling their shares, OpenAI was valued by investors at USD 500 billion. Earlier this year, during an investment round led by SoftBank, OpenAI's valuation was USD 300 billion (approximately KRW 423 trillion), marking an increase of over 50% in less than a year. Bloomberg News reported, "OpenAI has become the most valuable startup in the world, surpassing Elon Musk's space company SpaceX."

According to CNBC, OpenAI initially planned to allow the sale of employee shares up to USD 10.3 billion (approximately KRW 14.5 trillion). However, the actual amount of shares offered for sale by employees was around USD 6.6 billion, falling short of this plan. A company representative told Bloomberg News, "This shows the confidence of current and former employees in the company's long-term growth potential."

Although OpenAI has not yet achieved profitability, it is leading AI development by investing billions of dollars in building data centers worldwide with companies like Nvidia. OpenAI is pursuing the 'Stargate Project,' a USD 500 billion (approximately KRW 700 trillion) AI infrastructure construction project with Samsung, SK, Oracle, and SoftBank. In August of this year, it announced its latest AI model, 'GPT-5.'

OpenAI was established in 2015 as a non-profit organization with the goal of "advancing digital intelligence in a way that benefits all of humanity." Musk also resonated with this purpose and participated as an initial investor in OpenAI.

However, to secure the funds needed for significant investments, OpenAI is currently restructuring its governance. Once the restructuring is complete, the existing non-profit organization will be governed by a new public benefit corporation.

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