WSJ Tech News Briefing — TNB Tech Minute: OpenAI Is Now a For-Profit Company

Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This episode of the Tech News Briefing centers on transformative developments in AI and quantum computing, with a focus on OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model. The show summarizes how this move impacts the company's future, highlights Nvidia’s venture into quantum-AI integration, and discusses Eli Lilly’s new AI-powered supercomputer project for drug discovery.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Promise of Quantum Computing

• Speaker: Katie Pizzolato, Vice President, IBM Quantum Platform
• Theme: Excitement about quantum computing’s potential, especially in unknown future applications.
• Key Insight:
  • Innovation at the edge of the unknown: Quantum computers may revolutionize drug development, materials discovery, and optimization.
  • Historical parallel: We can't yet imagine where quantum will lead — just as we couldn't foresee today's uses of classical computation in its early days.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We don't know yet. It's very exciting to think about where we all sat at the dawn of classical computation and not to ever imagine where we are today.” — Katie Pizzolato [00:06]

2. OpenAI’s Conversion to a For-Profit Model

• Speaker: Julie Chang
• Theme: Strategic shift to enable growth, funding, and talent acquisition.
• Key Insights:
  • OpenAI is now officially a for-profit business after transitioning to a traditional corporate structure.
  • Expected to facilitate an eventual IPO and substantial fundraising.
  • Microsoft to hold a significant 27% stake in the newly formed Public Benefit Corporation.
  • Valuation surge: The organizational change boosts OpenAI’s market worth over $4 trillion.
  • OpenAI’s nonprofit parent retains a $130 billion stake, with the potential for increased future ownership.
• Notable Quote:
  • “OpenAI is now a for profit business. The artificial intelligence startup has successfully converted to a more traditional corporate structure. The move may help OpenAI raise money and attract talent and could clear the path for an initial public offering.” — Julie Chang [00:32]

3. Nvidia’s Strategy: Supercharging Quantum with AI

• Speaker: Julie Chang; Jensen Huang, Nvidia CEO
• Theme: Nvidia's new NVQ Link integrates quantum and supercomputing for scalability.
• Key Insights:
  • Although Nvidia isn’t building standalone quantum computers, the company’s NVQ Link connects quantum processors with Nvidia’s advanced AI supercomputers.
  • The aim: To enable effective operation and error correction, thereby unlocking bigger quantum capabilities.
  • Envisioned outcome: A scale-up from hundreds of current qubits to potentially hundreds of thousands, multiplying compute power for science, finance, and beyond.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We're going to essentially scale up these quantum computers from the hundreds of qubits we have today to tens of thousands of qubits, hundreds of thousands of qubits in the future.” — Jensen Huang [01:40]

4. Eli Lilly & Nvidia: The Most Powerful Pharma Supercomputer

• Speaker: Julie Chang
• Theme: AI-fueled transformation in drug discovery.
• Key Insights:
  • Eli Lilly partners with Nvidia to build what it describes as “the most powerful supercomputer run by a pharmaceutical company.”
  • Purpose: To expedite pharmaceutical R&D by identifying new molecules and drastically reducing traditional, years-long development timelines.
  • The supercomputer is expected to be operational by January; no financial details disclosed.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The partnership will allow it to identify new molecules and speed up years long development timelines.” — Julie Chang [01:51]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “We know that quantum computers are poised to accelerate time and cost efficiencies in really important fields”
  — Katie Pizzolato [00:12]
• “Longtime partner Microsoft will own a 27% stake in the new Public Benefit Corporation and the announcement push its valuation above $4 trillion.”
  — Julie Chang [00:53]
• “Quantum processors can solve problems that today's computers can't, and that could have big implications for fields ranging from scientific discovery to finance...”
  — Julie Chang [01:51]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• IBM Quantum Platform & Potential Applications: [00:00] – [00:32]
• OpenAI For-Profit Conversion & Microsoft’s Stake: [00:32] – [01:13]
• Nvidia’s NVQ Link & CEO Quote: [01:13] – [01:51]
• Eli Lilly & Nvidia Pharma Supercomputer: [01:51] – [02:35]

Summary

The episode delivers a rapid-fire update on pivotal moves in AI and quantum tech, highlighting OpenAI’s structural transformation and surge in value, Nvidia’s bold advances at the quantum-AI intersection, and a landmark partnership in pharmaceutical supercomputing. Throughout, the tone is brisk and informative, capturing the sweeping change at the frontier of technology.