OpenAI is seeking the Middle Eastern wealth for a $50 billion investment opportunity, placing the region as a strategic partner in global AI infrastructure, as it still faces mass talent departure to Meta amid soaring OpenAI valuation projections.
Middle Eastern venture capitals and companies investing in OpenAI is the beginning of a major shift in global AI power dynamics. OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, is now in the UAE to participate in investment talks expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.
To invest in OpenAI is not another deal to close, but a region’s emergence as a critical player in influencing global AI infrastructure and development. Especially, as OpenAI races to expand its computing capacity while competitors like Google’s Gemini gain momentum.
Open AI Valuation Forged by Middle Eastern Partnerships
The OpenAI $500 billion valuation prospect is a critical inflection point that depends heavily on Middle Eastern capital.
OpenAI completed a $6.6 billion share sale in October that boosted its OpenAI market value to this level, allowing employees to sell stock at a record $500 billion. But the ongoing discussions with UAE sovereign wealth funds could push the OpenAI valuation even higher.
OpenAI is playing a smart game. Middle Eastern countries are now developing hyperscale data centers and local innovation ecosystems that could become integral to OpenAI’s global compute strategy.
OpenAI reported $20 billion in revenue for 2025, a 233% increase from 2024.
“This is growth on a scale never seen before,” said CFO Sarah Friar.
However, the company consumed 1.9 gigawatts of computing power in 2025, and such an expansion suggests expenses in the tens of billions annually. By choosing to invest in OpenAI, UAE becomes essential for its abundant energy resources. And a connection in the AI supply chain, creating new regional innovation hubs that challenge the traditional Silicon Valley-centric model.
The timing is also strategic. OpenAI has the potential to go public with its IPOs in Q1 2026, making the OpenAI funding rounds crucial for establishing a strong valuation before hitting public markets.
OpenAI value proposition centers on advanced AI capabilities but maintaining that edge now requires Middle Eastern partnerships that provide both capital and geographic diversification of computing infrastructure.
SoftBank’s OpenAI Investment Bet
SoftBank OpenAI investment represents one of CEO Masayoshi Son’s biggest gambles to happen, complementing the Middle East strategy.
Their race was to secure a $22.5 billion funding commitment by the end of 2025, selling off major assets including its entire $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia and $4.8 billion of its T-Mobile holdings to invest in OpenAI.
According to Verdict, SoftBank and OpenAI committed a combined $1 billion investment into SB Energy to develop AI data centers in the US as part of the Stargate Project. OpenAI selected SB Energy to construct its 1.2-gigawatt data center in Milam County, Texas, with construction expected to begin service in 2026.
This domestic infrastructure development runs parallel to OpenAI valuation Middle East strategy, creating a diversified global network.
Additionally, OpenAI valuation in April climbed dramatically, after Son secured its $300 billion deal. OpenAI valuation over time has proved remarkable growth.
Recent talks suggest that OpenAI latest valuation could hit $900 billion. Of course, it all goes back to its OpenAI funding rounds from investors, including Amazon.
Talent Migration Complicates Growth Strategy
OpenAI faces talent drain. Meta has emerged as the biggest winner, with Mark Zuckerberg personally recruiting top researchers to his Super Intelligence Laboratory (SIL).
The losses are Jason Wei, who established “Chain-of-Thought” reasoning, and Jiahui Yu, who led OpenAI’s perception team. Most shocking was the departure of OpenAI’s entire Zurich office to Meta, creating a paradox for those investing in OpenAI.
No doubts, Middle Eastern capital can scale infrastructure, but human expertise can affect the growth process. At the end, the OpenAI valuation path will test whether infrastructure and capital can compensate for the loss of foundational talent.
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