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Boom or bust: AI insiders concerned about Nvidia, OpenAI’s circular dealmaking
The Economic Times·2025-10-08 13:31

Core Insights - The article discusses the significant investments and deals between Nvidia and OpenAI, highlighting the potential for a circular financing model that may inflate valuations without creating actual value [9][4][5] - There are concerns about the sustainability of these investments, with analysts drawing parallels to the dotcom bubble, suggesting that a downturn in demand could have widespread implications for the capital markets and economy [9][8][5] Investment Activities - Nvidia has committed to investing $100 billion in OpenAI for 10 gigawatts of data center capacity over the next decade, which will utilize millions of Nvidia GPUs [3] - OpenAI has signed a $300 billion deal with Oracle to establish five data centers in the US, which will also incorporate Nvidia chips [3] - Nvidia's recent $2 billion equity investment in Elon Musk's xAI is part of a larger $20 billion funding round structured through a special purpose vehicle [3][9] Market Dynamics - Both Nvidia and OpenAI are leveraging the current demand for AI technology to enhance their valuations, with Nvidia signing 50 deals by September 2023 [6][10] - OpenAI, valued at $500 billion, is yet to turn a profit while planning substantial investments in AI infrastructure, relying on a mix of venture capital, debt, and partnerships [10][5] - The investments in AI infrastructure are characterized as the new normal to meet increasing user demand, according to industry leaders [10][7] Concerns and Criticism - Analysts express worries about the circular nature of the financing arrangements, which may not lead to genuine growth and could result in inflated valuations [5][9] - Historical comparisons are made to the late 1990s, where similar circular deals were prevalent, raising concerns about the current AI landscape [5][9] - There is a fear that a decline in demand or competition from cheaper alternatives could trigger a collapse in the AI market [8][10]