OpenAI, a leading firm in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, is reportedly finalizing a deal that could value the company at over an impressive $80 billion. This new valuation is nearly triple its previous one, marking a significant increase in less than six months.

The deal, which is potentially spearheaded by venture firm Thrive Capital, could potentially catapult OpenAI to the top of the tech startup world. If successful, it would make them not only the most valuable startup in San Francisco but also one of the most valuable tech startups worldwide.

This potential deal comes at an exciting time in the AI industry, with investments in AI companies on the rise. For instance, Amazon recently invested up to a staggering $4 billion in Anthropic, a key competitor of OpenAI. Similarly, Microsoft has also shown its faith in OpenAI’s potential. Earlier this year, Microsoft made a generous investment of $10 billion in the company, bringing its total investment in OpenAI to a hefty $13 billion.

The increased valuation of OpenAI is indicative of the growing investor interest in AI startups. The potential of these companies to disrupt existing technologies and boost industry-wide growth is attracting significant investment.

Currently, OpenAI is in talks to sell employee-owned shares at a valuation of $86 billion. However, the final terms or allocations have not yet been decided. If OpenAI manages to secure this valuation, it would surpass the worth of notable companies like Stripe and Shein. This would position OpenAI as one of the most valuable private companies globally, outpaced only by giants such as SpaceX and ByteDance.

OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, is on a promising trajectory. Thanks to the increased adoption of its AI technologies by businesses, it is on track to reach $1 billion in annual revenue. This potential deal and the company’s growth trajectory clearly illustrate the increasing value and influence of AI technologies in the global market.