Ask ChatGPT to take a sample invoice and put its date, supplier and amount into Excel. The seconds saved belong to the user. On OpenAI's side, that request can produce additional usage revenue or consume computing capacity covered by a subscription already paid.

Where does the spreadsheet come from?

In the browser, selecting a local document sends its contents to the service. When the data analysis tool is used, ChatGPT can run Python in a service-side execution environment to produce the table. Downloading the result leaves the original invoice and a separate output on the device. On accounts with Library, uploaded and generated files can also be stored in the service. A user tracing a file therefore has three places to examine: the conversation, Library and the device. The original document is still the reference against which to check the total. OpenAI on data analysis | File storage and Library

Who uses the model and who pays?

A person making another table within a subscription allowance does not receive a separate invoice for that request. An employer can purchase access on behalf of employees. A software company can integrate the API into its own invoice-processing product, pay OpenAI for model usage, and set its own price for customers. Model API charges depend on input and output volume. Advertisers are another source of revenue. In September, OpenAI's CFO described free access supported by advertising alongside subscription and usage-based offerings. OpenAI CFO, September 8, 2026

Google and Microsoft can distribute AI through existing search and workplace products. OpenAI sees familiarity with ChatGPT at home as a route into workplaces. In March it reported revenue of $2 billion per month at the time, with enterprise accounting for over 40% of total revenue. In September it reported reaching over one billion weekly active users and 2.5 million businesses. The audience includes free users, so multiplying the user count by a subscription price will not yield revenue. March funding and business update | September update

Why raise money when the product already sells?

Developing the next model takes compute before anyone pays to use it. Answering today's customers takes more compute. Cash arriving from existing subscriptions does not automatically cover capacity that must be contracted in advance. The operating question is when that capacity becomes available, what share can be used, and how much paying demand it will take to recover the commitment.

On March 31 OpenAI announced $122 billion of committed capital at an $852 billion post-money equity valuation. An investor's announcement illustrates the timetable. SoftBank Group's $30 billion follow-on commitment announced in February was completed when the final $10 billion tranche was paid on October 1. The round measures financing commitments. The equity valuation prices ownership of the company. Neither tells us its bank balance or how much profit was earned on a spreadsheet request. OpenAI funding announcement | SoftBank Group on its final tranche