Table of Contents
Key Points
- OpenAI raises $40 billion, boosting its valuation to $300 billion to advance AI research and infrastructure expansion.
- The funding will support OpenAI’s development of more advanced tools and progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).
- Adebayo Ogunlesi's recent board appointment strengthens OpenAI’s leadership in AI safety, regulatory oversight, and global infrastructure strategy.
Months after Nigerian billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi joined the board of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) research company behind ChatGPT, the organization has raised $40 billion in a new funding round, pushing its valuation to $300 billion.
OpenAI said the fresh capital will help it expand AI research, scale computing infrastructure, and develop more advanced tools for the 500 million people who use ChatGPT every week. The funding is part of OpenAI’s broader push toward artificial general intelligence (AGI)—the concept of machines that can perform any intellectual task a human can.
OpenAI, SoftBank collaborate on AI future
Announcing the latest milestone in a statement on Monday, March 31, OpenAI said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with SoftBank Group—few companies understand how to scale transformative technology like they do. Their support will help us continue building AI systems that drive scientific discovery, enable personalized education, enhance human creativity, and pave the way toward AGI that benefits all of humanity.”
The development comes just over two months after Ogunlesi expanded his influence in the tech and business world by joining OpenAI’s board. His appointment was seen as a strategic move to strengthen the organization’s expertise in AI safety, cybersecurity, regulatory oversight, and economic governance.
Ogunlesi’s net worth tops $2 billion
Ogunlesi, 71, is the co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and a member of BlackRock’s board. His leadership played a pivotal role in GIP’s rise to become the world’s largest independent infrastructure manager, overseeing more than $100 billion in assets.
In January 2024, GIP completed a landmark $12.5 billion deal with BlackRock to form a leading multi-asset infrastructure investment platform, which included $3 billion in cash and 12 million BlackRock shares worth $9.5 billion. Following this deal, Ogunlesi’s net worth surged to over $2 billion.
As of this report, Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.2 billion, driven by his 1,822,926 BlackRock shares and $600 million in cash. His investment portfolio also includes stakes in Kosmos Energy Holdings LLC, Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., and Goldman Sachs Group.
