Core Viewpoint - Microsoft's recent financial report reveals significant losses associated with its investment in OpenAI, highlighting the financial burden large tech companies face in the AI sector [3][4][12]. Financial Impact - Microsoft's investment in OpenAI resulted in a net profit reduction of $3.1 billion for the quarter, with OpenAI's estimated net loss around $11.5 billion for the same period [3][7]. - If considering pre-tax losses and a higher ownership stake of 32.5%, OpenAI's losses could exceed $12 billion, which is nearly three times its revenue of $4.3 billion for the first half of the year [10][11]. Accounting Methodology - Microsoft employs equity method accounting for its investment in OpenAI, meaning OpenAI's earnings or losses directly affect Microsoft's net income [6][7]. - This accounting method reflects the actual operational performance of the invested company rather than market valuation changes [6]. Investment Commitment - Microsoft has committed to investing $13 billion in OpenAI, having already invested $11.6 billion as of September 30 [6][12]. - The substantial losses reported indicate a rapid increase in OpenAI's cash burn rate compared to previous periods [13]. Industry Context - The financial disclosures provide a rare glimpse into the fiscal realities of AI unicorns, underscoring the intense financial pressures faced by major tech firms to maintain competitive advantages in AI [4][14]. - Despite the significant losses, Microsoft's overall financial health remains robust, with a net profit of $27.7 billion in the last quarter, allowing it to absorb these investment losses [12].
重磅!微软财报泄露了OpenAI的财务数据:单季度巨亏115亿美元!