OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared on Sunday that the company is currently operating at a loss with its USD 200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription plan due to higher-than-expected usage.
In a post on X on January 6, 2025, Altman expressed, “We are losing money on OpenAI Pro subscriptions because people are using it more than we anticipated.”
Altman also mentioned, “I personally set the price and thought it would generate some profit.”
ChatGPT Pro Plan
The ChatGPT Pro Plan is priced at USD 200 per month, offering premium access to advanced features. Currently, this plan includes access to o1, o1-mini, GPT-4o, and advanced voice (audio only). Subscribers also enjoy o1 Pro mode, which utilizes additional computational resources to provide optimal answers for complex queries. Additionally, the plan grants extended access to Sora video generation.
In addition to the Pro Plan, there are two other options: the Free plan and the Plus plan, which costs USD 20 per month and provides limited access to o1 and o1-mini.
Despite recent investments and high valuations, OpenAI has not yet reached profitability. The company incurs substantial expenses, including those for data centers, AI infrastructure, staffing, and office space, to maintain its services.
OpenAI’s Vision: Superintelligence
OpenAI is focused on creating superintelligence—AI systems with cognitive abilities that far exceed human capabilities across all areas.
Sam Altman shared his belief that by 2025, we may see AI agents entering the workforce and significantly transforming company productivity. He emphasized that providing people with powerful tools can lead to widespread positive outcomes.
Altman further explained that OpenAI’s goal is evolving towards developing true superintelligence. While the company values its current products, it is working toward a future where superintelligent systems could revolutionize scientific discovery, innovation, and significantly enhance global prosperity.
Though superintelligence may sound like something out of science fiction, Altman expressed confidence that its potential will become clear in the near future. He believes that soon, everyone will recognize the importance of acting responsibly while maximizing benefits for society. Given the immense possibilities of their work, OpenAI strives to be far from a typical company.
Reflections on ChatGPT’s Journey
In a blog post titled Reflections, Altman shared his thoughts on ChatGPT’s evolution. He recalled how, in 2022, OpenAI was a small research lab working on a project initially called “Chat With GPT-3.5.” He humorously noted that it was eventually renamed ChatGPT before its launch on November 30, 2022.
Altman also discussed the project’s growth, explaining that it has now advanced into a new phase, with models capable of complex reasoning, signaling a step toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).
Reflecting on personal challenges, Altman recounted the surprising moment he was removed from OpenAI’s board. He described the experience of being unexpectedly fired during a video call, while in a Las Vegas hotel room, shortly before the board publicly announced it. He expressed how surreal and disorienting the entire situation felt, like a dream gone wrong.