(Reuters)

Microsoft Corp is in talks to invest US$10 billion in ChatGPT-owner OpenAI as part of funding that will value the firm at US$29 billion, Semafor reported on Monday (January 9), citing people familiar with the matter.

The news underscores rising interest in the artificial intelligence company, whose chatbot has dazzled amateurs and industry experts with its ability to spit out haikus, debug code and answer questions while imitating human speech.

The funding could also include other venture firms and documents sent to prospective investors outlining its terms indicated a targeted close by the end of 2022, according to the report.

OPENAI FOUNDED BY MUSK, ALTMAN

Microsoft declined to comment, while OpenAI did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The software giant had in 2019 invested US$1 billion in OpenAI, founded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Microsoft’s cloud services arm also provides the computing power needed by the AI firm.

Microsoft last year unveiled plans to integrate image-generation software from OpenAI into its search engine Bing. A recent report from the Information said similar plans were underway for ChatGPT as Microsoft looks to take on market leader Google Search.

According to Semafor, Microsoft will also get 75 per cent of OpenAI’s profits until it recoups its initial investment.

After hitting that threshold, Microsoft would have a 49 per cent stake in OpenAI, with other investors taking another 49 per cent and OpenAI’s nonprofit parent getting two per cent, Semafor said.

Reuters reported last month a recent pitch by OpenAI to investors said the organisation expects US$200 million in revenue next year and US$1 billion by 2024.

OpenAI charges developers licensing its technology about a penny or a little more to generate 20,000 words of text, and about two cents to create an image from a written prompt.

IN TALKS TO SELL EXISTING SHARES

It spends about a few cents in computing power every time someone uses its chatbot, Altman recently said in tweet that has raised concerns about OpenAI’s cash burn.

A Wall Street Journal report said last week OpenAI was in talks to sell existing shares at a roughly US$29 billion valuation in a tender offer that would attract investment of at least US$300 million.