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How To Buy OpenAI Stock In 2024?

Last updated 03/15/2024 by

Laura Strecker

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
OpenAI is still a private company, so it’s not currently possible to invest directly in its stocks. However, there are ways to gain indirect exposure to OpenAI via a publicly traded company like Microsoft or Nvidia. Read on to see how.
Investing in the tech industry can be an exciting opportunity, and innovative companies at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI) technology are currently on the radar of many investors. OpenAI, for example, has garnered attention in recent years for its groundbreaking contributions and potential to shape the future of AI. With all the recent hype and expected growth in the field of AI, many investors wonder how they can get a piece of the OpenAI pie.
If you look for the OpenAI stock symbol in your stock trading app, you won’t find one. This is because it is still a private company, so it does not have publicly traded stock. However, it is possible to gain indirect exposure to OpenAI by investing in publicly traded companies that have invested in it. This article describes how and analyzes the pros and cons of doing so. But first, let’s see what OpenAI is and why so many people are interested in investing in AI technology.

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What is OpenAI?

OpenAI is an American research laboratory whose mission is “to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity.” This privately owned company was founded in 2015 and has quickly become an important player in the field of AI.
It began to raise capital as a nonprofit (with Elon Musk and Amazon Web Services among the early investors) and in 2019 it transitioned to a capped for-profit company in order to attract investment from venture funds and grant employees stakes in the company. Backed by well-known venture capital firms (most notably by the software company Microsoft), OpenAI is currently at the forefront of AI development.

Artificial intelligence: What’s the hype?

DID YOU KNOW? According to Britannica.com, the term ‘artificial intelligence’ “is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.”
Artificial intelligence already permeates our day-to-day lives in surprising ways. If you have ever used software to tag or search images, interacted with an automated customer service system, or asked Siri, Alexa, or Google any questions, then you have used AI. And that is just the tip of the AI iceberg! Some of the latest advancements in AI are related to large language models (like OpenAI’s GPT-3 and GPT-4), which have the ability to understand and generate text. Recently there has been a lot of conversation (dare we say, controversy) related to AI’s purported ability to do everything from developing any type of written content to creating art, and even writing poetry and music.

ChatGPT

OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that users can interact with in a conversational way, is being used for all of that and more. The model is trained to follow instructions and provide detailed responses. As described by OpenAI, ChatGPT‘s dialogue format makes it possible for it to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests. During its research preview, the use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT is free.
People are using this innovative tool to write resumes, draft letters and emails, summarize text, explain complex topics, solve math problems step by step, write essays, create content in multiple languages, and even save money on groceries. It’s no wonder that some powerful private companies decided to invest in OpenAI.

Who has invested in OpenAI?

Elon Musk was a co-founder and early investor in the OpenAI startup. Although he made a multimillion-dollar investment and is a strong proponent of AI (one of his current projects aims to develop fully self-driving cars), Musk eventually left OpenAI due to differences in vision and his concerns regarding the relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft.
Recently, Microsoft announced a multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI that marked a significant milestone in the tech industry. This partnership enables Microsoft to stay at the forefront of AI innovation by having exclusive access to OpenAI’s various applications and new features, including the OpenAI GPT-3 language model, which is now licensed exclusively to Microsoft. Microsoft aims to leverage OpenAI’s expertise in natural language processing and deep learning to enhance its own products and services, including the search engine Bing, as well as apply advanced AI to the development of new AI-powered tools. A few other companies that have invested in OpenAI include:
  • Amazon
  • Sequoia Capital
  • Andreessen Horowitz
  • Thrive
  • K2 Global
  • Khosla Ventures
  • Infosys

How to buy OpenAI stock

Since OpenAI itself is not a publicly traded company, you will not be able to buy OpenAI stock via your brokerage account, and there isn’t enough information with which to construct an OpenAI stock price chart. However, accredited investors can invest in it indirectly. For example, investors could buy Microsoft shares or stock in other companies that have invested in OpenAI.

Pro Tip

“When investing in new technologies like OpenAI, it’s essential to make a well-informed decision based on your specific financial situation and investment objectives. It’s crucial to do thorough research, consult with a financial advisor, and understand the risks before making any investment decisions.” -Adrian Lawrence, financial advisor and Chartered Accountant in the UK.
Another way to potentially benefit from the advancements made by companies like OpenAI would be to look for opportunities to gain exposure to the broader tech industry. Several other large companies, such as Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., and Nvidia Corporation, a leader in AI computing, have a strong presence in the tech industry and are known for their advancements in AI technology. Earlier this year, Google invested $300 million into another AI startup called Anthropic, which was founded by former OpenAI engineers.
“Consider tech-focused funds or other entities involved in burgeoning fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data,” says Matt Haycox, founder and CEO of Funding Guru. “These represent the forefront of technological advancement and innovation and present the opportunity for significant growth and returns. They allow investors to get involved in a broad range of companies or projects within these sectors, spreading risk while still maintaining exposure to high-growth potential.”
Look for publicly traded companies that have a track record of innovation, specialize in AI technology or related industries, and work closely with data scientists. Also consider factors such as the stock price chart, market performance, financial stability, and the company’s vision for the future.

ETFs

If selecting individual stocks seems daunting, another option is to invest in AI-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds typically hold a diversified portfolio of tech companies, including those involved in AI. By investing in these funds, you can gain exposure to OpenAI’s field while benefiting from the expertise of fund managers who specialize in the tech industry. As with any investment, thorough research, diversification, and careful consideration of your personal financial goals and risk tolerance are crucial. Consulting with a financial advisor is recommended to consider all the pros and cons.

Potential pros and cons of investing in AI stocks

Before you decide to invest in AI stocks, take some advice from professionals working in this field about the positives and negatives of AI investing.
WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Pros
  • The possibility of significant profits
  • Diversification with similar companies
  • Support and security
Cons
  • The possibility of significant losses
  • No guarantees with new technology
  • The company may not meet growth expectations

Pros

“If the value of the company continues to rise over time, an investment in a profitable technological company such as OpenAI could result in considerable financial rewards.” -Azzam Sheikh, digital strategist at Money Advisor.
“By investing in a fund or a company that has a stake in OpenAI, you can also gain exposure to other companies in the fund’s portfolio.” -Kat Campbell, data scientist.
“OpenIA is backed by some of the biggest names in the tech industry. This provides a certain level of security and assurance that the company will be successful.” -Steve Griffin, CEO of software company Madison Avenue Technology.

Cons

There’s potential for losses if the technology doesn’t pan out as expected or if there’s a regulatory clampdown.” -Tim Doman, investment analyst and CEO of Top Mobile Banks.
“AI is still a young and evolving field. There are no guarantees of success, and there might be a few hiccups along the way. It’s crucial to be aware of the obstacles, like limited information.” -Leo Smigel, algorithmic trader and investor and founder of Analyzing Alpha.
“Investing in new technologies like OpenAI carries risks such as technological obsolescence, regulatory uncertainties, and market adoption speed. The complexity of the technology can also be a barrier, making it hard for investors to thoroughly understand what they’re investing in. Additionally, the high valuation of technology companies, especially in AI, often embeds high growth expectations that may not be met, potentially leading to significant capital losses.” -Lauren Mendoza, co-founder and CEO of Bank Standard.

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Key takeaways

  • You cannot invest in OpenAI directly because it is still a private company and does not have publicly traded stock.
  • To indirectly invest in OpenAI stock, you can buy shares in a company that has directly invested in OpenAI. Several venture capital firms and tech companies, including Microsoft, have large investments in OpenAI. You can also invest in other companies that are heavily involved in AI or in AI-focused ETFs.
  • Before investing in any AI stocks, carefully consider all the pros and cons.
  • Navigating the stock market and selecting suitable investments can be complex. To ensure your investment decisions align with your financial goals, consider consulting with a financial advisor.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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