OpenAI is in talks to raise as much as US$40 billion in a funding round led by SoftBank Group Corp, according to people familiar with the matter.

The pre-money valuation may end up being closer to the $200 billion range, said one of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private information. OpenAI was valued at $157 billion in October.

OpenAI is in talks for an investment round to raise nearly $40 billion that would value the AI startup at up to $340 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The report comes three months after SoftBank backed a $6.6 billion funding round for OpenAI at a $157 billion valuation. That the former company is reportedly seeking to invest again at a significantly higher valuation suggests it’s optimistic about OpenAI’s growth prospects.

Artificial intelligence startup OpenAI is in early discussions for a funding round that could value it at a whopping $340 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal, which would more than double its valuation amid competitive threats from up-and-coming Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.

Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI in talks to raise new $40 billion funding, at a valuation of $340 billion.