OpenAI misses internal targets as growth and spending concerns rise
Report flags shortfall in user growth and revenue targets
OpenAI has failed to meet its own internal targets for user growth and sales, raising concerns within the company about the sustainability of its current spending trajectory. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the company has fallen short of several monthly revenue goals in 2026.
The report states that competition from Anthropic PBC has intensified, particularly in coding and enterprise segments. This shift is said to have affected OpenAI’s ability to maintain its projected growth pace in key business areas.
ChatGPT user target not achieved
The company’s flagship product, ChatGPT, also did not meet its internal milestone of reaching one billion weekly active users by the end of 2025. The shortfall highlights slowing momentum in user acquisition despite earlier rapid adoption.
Subscriber retention has emerged as another concern. The report notes that competing platforms, including Google Gemini, have gained traction, contributing to higher churn rates among OpenAI’s user base.
Financial concerns over infrastructure spending
Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar has reportedly raised concerns internally about the company’s financial outlook. Discussions among senior leadership have focused on whether OpenAI can sustain its long-term investment plans without a faster increase in revenue.
The company has committed to large-scale spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure, including data centres and computing hardware. These investments are seen as essential for maintaining competitiveness but are also placing pressure on financial planning.
Investor sentiment reflects broader industry concerns
The report highlights growing unease among investors about the scale of spending across the AI sector. Companies are investing heavily in infrastructure and advanced chips, but the timeline for returns remains uncertain.
OpenAI has previously indicated plans to spend more than $1.4 trillion on AI infrastructure. To support these investments, it has relied on funding from venture capital firms and major technology investors, often overlapping with funding sources for competitors like Anthropic.
Funding activity and market reaction
In February, OpenAI raised $110 billion in its largest funding round to date, with participation from several investors, including SoftBank Group Corp.. SoftBank alone committed $30 billion in that round.
Following the development, SoftBank’s shares declined by as much as 7.5% in Tokyo trading. The investment would bring SoftBank’s total exposure to OpenAI to approximately $64.6 billion, representing an estimated 13% stake by the end of the year.
Context: rising competition in the AI sector
The developments come at a time when competition in the artificial intelligence sector is intensifying. Companies are expanding capabilities in enterprise services, coding tools, and consumer-facing AI applications, leading to increased pressure on growth metrics and financial performance.
While OpenAI continues to hold a significant position in the AI ecosystem, the report suggests that maintaining growth targets alongside large-scale spending commitments remains a key challenge.