ChatGPT’s fate hangs in the balance as OpenAI reportedly edges closer to bankruptcy
OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot is running on fumes.
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What you need to know
Artificial Intelligence has been in the headlines for the better part of this year. Whenever you think about the subject, OpenAI’s chatbot,ChatGPT, automatically comes to mind, as doesMicrosoft’s Bing Chat, which uses OpenAI tech.
And while the company has made significant headway in the area, the chatbot has been spotted facing a few challenges. A recent report cited thatthe tool is getting dumber. According to the study, the chatbot’s responses have worsened despite OpenAI’s efforts to ship new features to the tool designed to improve its usability.
Adding to that, it seems that it’s not business as usual. The company is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy.Firstposthighlighted several reasons for the situation per stats shared by Analytics India Magazine.
Analysis
First, running an AI-powered chatbot is no easy feat, especially regarding the cost implication. We already know OpenAI uses approximately700,000 dollars to run the tool daily. This translates to 36 cents per query. Not to mention the amount of money used to procure GPUs from companies like NVIDIA to ensure that things run seamlessly. But as it now seems, OpenAI might be unable to keep this going much longer, despite its efforts to make a bit of revenue by monetizing GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. Microsoft, accompanied by a couple of recent investors, caters to these expenses. How long will investors help keep the business afloat if they cannot earn back their investments?
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Aside from monetary issues, OpenAI is also experiencing a decline in the number of users that leverage its chatbot’s offerings. The company experienced a 12 percent decline in its user base between June and July, according to SimilarWeb, which translates to a loss of around 200,000 users. However, these statistics only reflect the number of users visiting the ChatGPT website, leaving out APIs.
OpenAI’s APIs have increasingly gained the interest of organizations initially opposed to the whole Artificial Intelligence idea and incorporating it into their workflows. Several LLM models are open-sourced. This way, it’s possible for users to curate an experience that’s specific and caters to their needs without having to incur any extra costs.
Additionally, OpenAI’s Sam Altman has been particularly vocal in highlighting his interest and goals for ChatGPT, which differ from OpenAI’s. Altman is focused onachieving AGI superintelligence, while OpenAI is leaning toward making a profit.
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And while OpenAI continues to invest in the venture heavily, Altman has also expressed his concerns over safety measures to ensure that the tool doesn’t spiral out of control. He’s keen to see the government get involved and implement regulations that control how people can leverage the tool’s capabilities. TheFTC already launched an investigation into ChatGPTto determine whether the company has broken consumer protection laws. Given itsheavy investment and extended partnershipwith OpenAI, Microsoft will likely be affected.
That said, OpenAI is actively pursuing new ways to make money from its GPT-4 LLMs. The company aims for $200 million in annual revenue in 2023, and $1 billion in 2024, which seems like a reach given the current state. The company has already seen a $540 million loss since the chatbot’s inception.
And finally, there’s an increased shortage of GPUs in the market, partly because of the rivalry between the US and China. The EU recently passed a€43 billion Chips Actdesigned to enhance the production of semiconductors in the region and reduce the overdependence on foreign regions to develop semiconductor chips.
Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. You’ll also catch him occasionally contributing at iMore about Apple and AI. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.
