Altman: OpenAI doesn’t want taxpayer support for AI spending
- ByStartupStory | November 7, 2025
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has firmly stated that the company does not want or seek taxpayer support or government bailouts to fund its massive AI infrastructure spending. This clarification came after OpenAI’s CFO, Sarah Friar, suggested the possibility of a government role in financing AI development during a recent tech conference, which sparked widespread speculation.
Altman emphasized in a social media statement that OpenAI has no government guarantees for its data centers and believes that taxpayers should not be responsible for bailing out companies that make poor business decisions or lose in the market. He stressed that while OpenAI is investing heavily—projecting $1.4 trillion in spending commitments over the next eight years—the company is focused on generating sufficient revenue to support its growth without relying on public funds.
The remarks underscore OpenAI’s position that it plans to raise capital and drive revenue growth through business operations, partnerships, and private investment, rather than depending on government aid. Altman also noted that OpenAI’s work is considered a national strategic asset, and while the government plays a role in supporting the tech ecosystem overall, direct financial backing for OpenAI’s projects is not being pursued.
In summary, OpenAI leadership has made clear that despite the company’s unprecedented scale of AI infrastructure investment, it does not want taxpayer-funded support and is committed to sustaining its expansion through private means and revenue generation. This stance aims to reassure investors and the public amid concerns about the financial demands of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Follow Startup Story
Related Posts
