OpenAI CFO Warns Companies Risk Falling Behind if They Lag in AI Adoption

OpenAI’s finance chief, Sarah Friar, recently issued a strong warning to companies and professionals about the importance of rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain competitiveness. Speaking at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia + Technology Conference, Friar emphasized that those who fail to embrace AI at a fast pace risk being left behind in the evolving business landscape. She noted that individuals who fully leverage AI’s capabilities represent one of the most significant sources of disruption to existing business models, cautioning that “someone who’s using AI deeply is going to disrupt you.”

Friar’s statements coincide with OpenAI’s aggressive expansion of AI-related spending to support its flagship product, the ChatGPT large language model. According to a report by The Information, the company has substantially increased its projected cash burn, planning to spend $115 billion through 2029, with over $8 billion allocated in the current year alone. Despite this massive expenditure, Friar framed OpenAI as a “for-profit entity that sits inside a nonprofit,” highlighting the organization’s hybrid structure. The company is projected to triple its revenue to approximately $13 billion this year, having recently achieved $10 billion in annual recurring revenue, signaling strong financial performance even amid heavy investments in AI research and infrastructure.

A key point highlighted by Friar is the challenge posed by compute capacity constraints. The growing demand for AI capabilities has exceeded the company’s existing computational infrastructure, prompting OpenAI to expand partnerships beyond Microsoft. Strategic collaborations with Oracle, CoreWeave, and other tech providers have been established to secure additional computing resources, ensuring the company can meet current AI demands and scale its operations efficiently. These partnerships are crucial for OpenAI to maintain its competitive edge, manage computational bottlenecks, and continue delivering advanced AI solutions to users.

Friar also discussed the proactive steps OpenAI is taking to anticipate future AI needs. The company is heavily engaged in “prebuilding” infrastructure and systems, which involves preparing computational and organizational resources ahead of anticipated demand surges. This forward-looking approach is designed to ensure that OpenAI can maintain service quality, deliver timely AI solutions, and stay ahead of competitors in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. By investing in both hardware and strategic partnerships, OpenAI is positioning itself to navigate technological and market challenges effectively.

Overall, Friar’s message underscores a broader reality for businesses in the AI era: rapid adoption and intelligent utilization of AI technology are no longer optional but essential for sustaining competitiveness. Her comments reflect the dual pressures organizations face—leveraging AI’s potential while simultaneously managing infrastructure, financial, and strategic challenges. OpenAI’s own investments in AI research, infrastructure expansion, and strategic collaborations exemplify the level of commitment required to thrive in the modern AI-driven economy.

Friar’s warning resonates beyond OpenAI itself, highlighting that companies and professionals who lag in adopting AI tools risk obsolescence, while those who strategically integrate AI into their operations can gain significant advantages. In sum, OpenAI is investing aggressively in AI infrastructure, addressing compute limitations through partnerships, and preparing for future needs, demonstrating both the opportunities and challenges in scaling AI technology in a competitive global market. The company’s approach offers a model for others, illustrating the importance of early adoption, technological readiness, and strategic foresight in an era where AI is rapidly reshaping industries worldwide.