OpenAI cuts 2030 compute target to $600b

OpenAI has informed investors that it now aims for around US$600 billion in total compute spending by 2030, a reduction from earlier estimates, CNBC reported.

The company projects its revenue for 2030 will exceed US$280 billion, with equal contributions from consumer and enterprise segments.

OpenAI is finalizing a funding round that could surpass US$100 billion, with about 90% from strategic investors, including discussions with Nvidia for up to US$30 billion.

The company generated US$13.1 billion in revenue in 2025, up from a previous target of US$10 billion, and spent around US$8 billion, below its US$9 billion forecast.

🔗 Source: CNBC

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OpenAI trims its plan and resets expectations

The new US$600 billion spending target cuts back from a previously discussed US$1.4 trillion infrastructure figure that had rattled investors 1.
OpenAI also set a clearer schedule and a lower capex goal, matching spending more closely to projected revenue that it now expects to exceed US$280 billion in 2030 1.
A potential US$30 billion investment from Nvidia would take the place of an earlier, more complicated up-to-US$100 billion commitment tied to OpenAI’s use of Nvidia chips in data centers. That earlier deal was framed as a “letter of intent” and never became a formal agreement 2.
Under the new structure, the relationship would shift to a direct equity investment. OpenAI would gain more flexible funding, and Nvidia would get a clearer stake in a major customer 3.

AI infrastructure spending is wearing on Wall Street

OpenAI’s plan lines up with a broader surge, with Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, and Microsoft together projecting about US$600 billion in AI-related capital expenditures for 2026 alone 4.
Public-market shareholders are getting uneasy about the scale of these outlays, even as the companies post strong revenue growth 4.
Microsoft shares fell the most since 2020 after its earnings report. Amazon shares also slid as markets questioned the payoff from these investments 4.
Even as a private company, OpenAI may still face pressure to link spending to returns, especially as it prepares for a potential initial public offering (IPO) 5.