OpenAI is navigating a gap between what investors want and what the company is asking for in its next private funding round. Investors have proposed a $1.2 trillion valuation, but OpenAI is pushing for at least $1.5 trillion, citing strong traction with its coding tool Codex and newer models GPT-6 Astra and GPT-5.6 Sol. The company's annualized revenue surpassed $40 billion last month, roughly doubling year-over-year. OpenAI has raised more than $180 billion since its founding and previously secured $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation in March. A long-awaited IPO is still on the table for next year, though CEO Sam Altman has said it will not happen before 2027 due to AI safety concerns.
OpenAI is also broadening its reach beyond software. The company acquired Glass Imaging, a startup founded in 2019 by former Apple employees, for about $300 million. Glass Imaging brings zoom-imaging technology used in smartphones, and OpenAI is exploring how to fold it into consumer hardware efforts, including its collaboration with Jony Ive on new devices. The acquisition signals a deeper push into physical products as OpenAI prepares for its expected public debut.
On the security side, Rubrik launched Rubrik MCP and Code Guardian on September 15, 2026, to give AI agents better access to protection data. Rubrik MCP, now in private preview, lets third-party agents like Claude and Copilot query security telemetry and run recovery workflows under existing access controls. Code Guardian is a custom Claude Mythos 5 harness that scans source code for vulnerabilities. About one third of Rubrik's customers currently use Rubrik AI, and the company projects $2.5 billion in revenue by 2029.
Lawmakers are wrestling with how to regulate AI, and the process is not always smooth. Representative Ted Lieu called for a committee vote on a bipartisan bill that would establish a national AI strategy and fund research and development. Separately, the House Judiciary Committee passed a bill introduced by Representative Mary Gay Scanlon that would create a national AI regulatory agency, though its path in the Senate is uncertain. Critics point out that many lawmakers do not use AI themselves, which can make it hard to keep up with how fast the technology is changing.
Despite warnings from AI leaders about slowing frontier model development, the financial commitments keep flowing. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently urged caution, but former President Trump dismissed those concerns. Meanwhile, KB Securities reported that U.S. hyperscalers plan to spend $1.3 trillion on AI infrastructure next year, up 63% year-on-year. Memory demand from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron is only 60% satisfied, and about 70% of total semiconductor production capacity has already been locked into long-term supply contracts. Morgan Stanley also launched a new platform for financing AI and other emerging technologies, noting that wealth management assets under management grew 20% year-over-year.
Key Takeaways
- <ul><li>OpenAI is seeking a $1.5 trillion valuation in a new funding round, while investors have proposed $1.2 trillion</li><li>OpenAI's annualized revenue surpassed $40 billion last month, doubling year-over-year</li><li>CEO Sam Altman says the IPO will not happen before 2027 due to AI safety concerns</li><li>OpenAI acquired Glass Imaging for $300 million to strengthen its consumer hardware push</li><li>Rubrik launched Rubrik MCP and Code Guardian, enabling Claude and Copilot agents to access security data</li><li>About one third of Rubrik customers now use Rubrik AI</li><li>Representative Ted Lieu pushed for a committee vote on a bipartisan AI regulation bill</li><li>The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill to create a national AI regulatory agency</li><li>U.S. hyperscalers plan $1.3 trillion in AI infrastructure investment next year, up 63% year-on-year</li><li>Morgan Stanley launched a new platform for financing AI and emerging technologies</li></ul>
OpenAI weighs $1.2 trillion valuation in new funding round
OpenAI is considering a private funding round at a $1.2 trillion valuation before its planned IPO. Investors initiated the talks, and the decision depends on when the company chooses to go public. OpenAI's revenue topped $40 billion monthly after the release of GPT-5.6. CEO Sam Altman said the IPO will not happen before 2027 due to AI safety concerns.
OpenAI seeks $1.5 trillion valuation as investors offer $1.2 trillion
OpenAI is seeking a valuation of at least $1.5 trillion in a new funding round, even though investors have offered about $1.2 trillion. The company cites strong customer traction with its coding tool Codex and new AI models GPT-6 Astra and GPT-5.6 Sol. OpenAI's annualized revenue surpassed $40 billion last month, roughly double last year's figure. The IPO is still planned for next year but could be delayed.
OpenAI investors propose new funding round at $1.2 trillion valuation
OpenAI investors have approached the company with proposals for a new funding round at a $1.2 trillion valuation. The company is not actively engaging in the discussions, according to sources. OpenAI raised $122 billion at an $852 billion valuation in March. The potential round could also allow employees to sell stock. The company is preparing for a widely expected blockbuster IPO next year.
OpenAI considers $1.5 trillion valuation in new financing round
OpenAI is considering a funding round that would value the AI startup at about $1.5 trillion, roughly doubling its most recent private valuation of $730 billion. Investors recently proposed a $1.2 trillion valuation, but OpenAI wants at least $1.5 trillion based on traction with Codex and models GPT-6 Astra and GPT-5.6 Sol. The company generated over $40 billion in annualized revenue last month. OpenAI has raised more than $180 billion since its founding in 2015.
Rubrik launches Rubrik MCP and Code Guardian for AI security
On September 15, 2026, Rubrik announced Rubrik MCP and Code Guardian to expand its AI security and data protection portfolio. Rubrik MCP is in private preview with existing customers and is planned for general availability in October 2026. The launches connect AI agents to Rubrik Security Cloud capabilities for incident response and software development workflows. Rubrik projects $2.5 billion in revenue and $302.9 million in earnings by 2029.
Rubrik lets AI agents access protection data with MCP support
Rubrik has added MCP support so AI agents can query its security telemetry and run recovery workflows. It also launched Code Guardian, a custom Claude Mythos 5 harness that analyzes source code for vulnerabilities. About one third of Rubrik customers now use Rubrik AI. MCP lets third-party agents like Claude and Copilot access Rubrik data under the same access controls. The move is meant to help security teams respond faster to cyber threats.
Ted Lieu urges committee vote on bipartisan AI regulation bill
Representative Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, called for a committee vote on a bipartisan AI bill. The bill would set up a national AI strategy and fund AI research and development. Lieu co-chairs a House Democratic AI commission working on AI regulation recommendations. He says the bill would help make sure AI is developed to benefit society. This is part of a larger push by Democrats to highlight the need for AI rules.
Aging Congress tries to regulate AI without using it
The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill to regulate artificial intelligence, but its future in the Senate is unclear. The bill, introduced by Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, would create a national AI regulatory agency. Critics say lawmakers cannot grasp AI's rapid changes if they do not use it. Supporters say the bill is a good start but does not go far enough. A Congressional Research Service report noted AI raises concerns about bias, job loss, and accountability.
OpenAI buys Glass Imaging startup for $300M to expand hardware push
OpenAI acquired Glass Imaging, a startup valued at $300 million, to strengthen its consumer hardware efforts. Glass Imaging was founded in 2019 by former Apple employees and has zoom-imaging technology used in smartphones. OpenAI is working with Jony Ive on new consumer devices. The company is also preparing for an expected IPO next year. OpenAI has not said how Glass Imaging's technology will be used in future products.
Belgium adopts new national AI development strategy
Belgium has adopted a new national strategy for artificial intelligence development. Minister Vanessa Matz said 42 percent of Belgian residents use generative AI and 34.5 percent of companies have adopted AI tools. The strategy updates a 2022 plan and focuses on research, public services, and infrastructure. It includes reforming the Strategic Committee on AI and introducing a sovereignty grid for cloud and AI procurement. The strategy will be discussed with federal entities to set an implementation plan.
Get AI agent and automation training for $19.99
A bundle of 8 courses from Eduonix Learning Solutions teaches users how to build AI agents and automate tasks for $19.99. The curriculum covers tools like n8n, Zapier, Make, FastAPI, Docker, and GitHub. It is designed for entrepreneurs, marketers, business professionals, and developers. The self-paced program includes lifetime access and a completion certificate.
Trump responds to AI development concerns
Former President Trump responded to calls from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to slow frontier AI model development. He dismissed the concerns, saying negative forces were raising issues that would not happen. His comments came last weekend in response to the AI leaders' warnings.
AI infrastructure investment and memory orders increase
Despite concerns that AI technology development may slow, AI infrastructure investment and memory orders have increased. KB Securities reported that U.S. hyperscalers' AI infrastructure investment for next year reached $1.3 trillion, up 63% year-on-year. Memory demand satisfaction from Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron is only 60%. About 70% of total semiconductor production capacity has been signed to binding long-term supply contracts.
Globee Awards accept AI security achievement nominations
The 23rd Annual Globee Awards for Cybersecurity are accepting nominations for artificial intelligence security achievements worldwide. The Globee Awards are a global recognition program honoring outstanding achievements in business, economics, and technology. Organizations and professionals can nominate AI security accomplishments. The awards are presented annually and are a major event in the cybersecurity industry.
Morgan Stanley highlights AI financing and wealth growth
Morgan Stanley Co-President Dan Simkowitz said the firm does not view 2026 as a peak-earnings year. Growth opportunities include wealth management, capital-markets recovery, and AI financing demand. Wealth management assets under management grew 20% year-over-year. The firm launched a new platform for financing artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Sources
- OpenAI Eyes $1.2 Trillion Valuation in Pre-IPO Funding Round
- OpenAI seeks $1.5 trillion valuation even as investors offer $1.2 trillion | What is driving the higher price?
- OpenAI investors have approached the company about a new funding round
- OpenAI Considers New Financing at a $1.5 Trillion Valuation
- Did Secure AI Tools Just Shift Rubrik (RBRK) Investment Narrative?
- Rubrik gives customer AI agents access to its protection and resilience data
- Ted Lieu, No. 4 Democrat, calls for committee vote on bipartisan AI bill - Live Updates
- An aging Congress attempts to regulate AI without using it
- OpenAI Buys $300M Glass Imaging Startup as AI Hardware Push Expands
- Belgium adopts a new artificial intelligence development strategy
- Get hands-on AI agent and automation training for $19.99
- Trump speaks the truth on artificial intelligence
- Amid concerns that the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) technology development may be slower tha..
- The 23rd Annual Globee® Awards for Cybersecurity Invite Artificial Intelligence Security Achievement Nominations Worldwide
- Morgan Stanley Sees Wealth, AI Financing and Deal Rebound Powering Growth
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.