OpenAI explores $500 billion valuation through employee share sale talks

OpenAI is exploring a potential employee share sale in early-stage discussions that could value the company at approximately $500 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter. The proposed sale would allow current employees to cash out a portion of their equity stakes, providing liquidity ahead of a possible future public offering. While no final decisions have been made and the plan remains in the exploratory phase, the discussions highlight OpenAI’s rapid growth and increasing valuation. The company, best known for developing ChatGPT, has become one of the most influential players in the artificial intelligence industry. The potential $500 billion valuation would place OpenAI among the most valuable private companies in the world. The employee share initiative is seen as a way to retain top talent amid growing competition for AI expertise. The source emphasized that the company has not committed to any specific timeline or structure for the sale, and details could still change.