OpenAI (NASDAQ:OAI) spent approximately $34 billion during 2025 as the artificial intelligence company continued to invest heavily in technology development, infrastructure and customer acquisition ahead of its expected stock market debut later this year, according to a report from the Financial Times.
The ChatGPT developer reportedly allocated around $19 billion to research and development activities, while sales and marketing expenses approached $6 billion. The remainder was attributed to other operating costs associated with the rapid expansion of the business.
Spending Growth Outpaces Revenue
The latest figures represent a substantial increase from the previous year and highlight the scale of investment required to maintain OpenAI’s position in the increasingly competitive AI sector.
Despite strong revenue growth, the company’s expenditure continued to significantly exceed income. Previous reports indicated that OpenAI generated roughly $13 billion in revenue during 2025.
As a result, the company is reported to have posted a net loss of approximately $39 billion for the year.
Efficiency Measures Underway Before Public Listing
The size of OpenAI’s losses has reportedly prompted management to focus on improving operational efficiency and tightening spending controls as preparations for an initial public offering gather pace.
The company has been reviewing its cost structure while balancing the need to continue investing in advanced AI models and infrastructure.
Competition Drives Pricing Strategy
OpenAI is also facing increasing competition in the artificial intelligence market.
A report published last week suggested the company is preparing significant reductions in pricing for some AI services as it seeks to attract customers from rival Anthropic and strengthen its market position.
Non-Core Projects Scaled Back
As part of broader efforts to manage costs, OpenAI reportedly reduced investment in several non-core initiatives during late 2025 and early 2026.
Among the projects affected was Sora, the company’s video-generation platform, as management prioritized resources toward its core AI offerings and sought to curb rising expenses ahead of its planned IPO.