WSJ Tech News Briefing — Tech Minute: OpenAI’s Funding Challenges Loom Over Deal Spree

Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Anthony Bansi (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of key developments in the tech industry, focusing on OpenAI’s ongoing spending spree, its ambitious growth projections, and the funding hurdles overshadowing its rapid expansion. Additional topics include the evolving partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, tensions over for-profit restructuring, regulatory challenges in the EU, and a key antitrust development involving Microsoft’s business software.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OpenAI’s Massive Spending and Growth Targets

• OpenAI’s Expenditure Spree:
  Over the past nine months, OpenAI has committed to spend about $60 billion annually on cloud computing, primarily with Oracle.

  • Other investments include:
    • $18 million to back Center Venture
    • Building a new AI hardware device for mass market
    • A purchase of $10 billion in custom chips

• Profitability vs. Revenue Growth:
  Despite heavy investments and significant annual losses, OpenAI is projecting $100 billion in sales by 2028.

  • Skepticism persists about AI’s immediate profitability; research suggests user conversion to paying customers may be much slower than expected.

• Industry Partnerships:
  News Corp (owner of The Wall Street Journal) has a content licensing partnership with OpenAI.

“Despite losing billions annually, OpenAI is projecting substantial revenue growth, aiming for $100 billion in sales by 2028, backed by large investments. But there are doubts about AI’s immediate profitability.” — Anthony Bansi [00:18]

2. Microsoft–OpenAI Relationship: Fragile yet Foundational

• Renewed Partnership:
  Microsoft and OpenAI have reached a new deal to extend their partnership, possibly smoothing OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit structure.

• Tensions and Antitrust Rumblings:
  Relations between the two tech giants had grown so tense that OpenAI considered approaching antitrust regulators in hopes of breaking out of its Microsoft contract.

• Opposition to For-Profit Plans:
  OpenAI’s move to finalize its for-profit ownership model faces resistance from Elon Musk, Meta, and various advocacy groups.

“Their relationship at one point grew so tense that OpenAI considered going to antitrust regulators to break out of the contract.” — Anthony Bansi [00:41]

3. EU Antitrust Settlement: Microsoft Tweaks Office Bundling

• European Commission Investigation:
  The EU accepted commitments from Microsoft in response to an antitrust probe that could have led to a fine.

• Core Issue:
  The probe began after Slack complained about Microsoft bundling its Teams messaging app with Office 365 products.

• Microsoft’s Concessions:

  • Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites can now be purchased without Teams, at a reduced price.
  • Long-term license holders can also switch to bundles without Teams.

“Microsoft then made a series of commitments that included the company making versions of its Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites available without Teams at a reduced price…” — Anthony Bansi [01:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “OpenAI is projecting substantial revenue growth, aiming for $100 billion in sales by 2028, backed by large investments. But there are doubts about AI’s immediate profitability.” — Anthony Bansi [00:18]
• “Their relationship at one point grew so tense that OpenAI considered going to antitrust regulators to break out of the contract.” — Anthony Bansi [00:41]
• “The European Commission opened a formal investigation in 2023 into Microsoft bundling its Teams software with its popular Office software after receiving a complaint from the business messaging app maker Slack Technologies.” — Anthony Bansi [01:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:13 — OpenAI’s annual spending, future growth goals, and skepticism about profitability
• 00:41 — Microsoft–OpenAI partnership extension and internal tensions
• 00:51 — For-profit structure opposition (Musk, Meta, advocacy groups)
• 00:58 — EU accepts Microsoft’s proposals, avoiding fines
• 01:05 — Background: Slack’s complaint and the anti-bundling investigation
• 01:18 — Microsoft’s commitments to unbundle Teams from Office, reduced prices

Summary

This Tech Minute highlights the bold—but risky—financial bets OpenAI is making to dominate the AI sector, the complexities of its foundational Microsoft relationship, skepticism about AI’s near-term profits, and a significant regulatory tweak by Microsoft in response to EU scrutiny. All discussions spotlight the fast-moving, high-stakes nature of today’s AI and enterprise tech landscape.