AI development leaders are debating whether to slow the technology's rapid growth, raising concerns about economic instability since trillions in market value and half of US GDP growth depend on AI's continued acceleration. The stakes are unprecedented, with nearly $33 trillion added to the S&P 500 since late 2022, but mounting challenges including skeptical investors, rising interest rates, Chinese competition, and local opposition to data centers threaten the sustainability of the AI boom.
OpenAI is in early talks with investors about a funding round valuing the company at over $1.2 trillion, ahead of a planned initial public offering that CEO Sam Altman says won't happen until 2027. The talks were initiated by investors and would allow existing backers to increase their stake before going public, positioning OpenAI ahead of rival Anthropic, which raised funds at a $965 billion valuation.