OtherReplaces Human LaborVerified

OpenAI has invested in companies building humanoid robots and relaunched an internal robotics team to develop its own AI-powered robots. The goal is to create physical robots that can understand and respond to spoken instructions, eventually capable of performing work in factories and other physical settings.

Details

In February 2024, OpenAI joined a $675 million investment in Figure AI, a humanoid robot company then valued at $2.6 billion, and signed a research collaboration to develop AI models for humanoid robots. Figure robots using OpenAI models are deployed at BMW manufacturing facilities to process voice commands. OpenAI also led a $23.5 million investment in 1X Technologies through its startup fund. OpenAI had disbanded its original robotics team in 2021 (which had developed a robotic arm capable of solving a Rubik's Cube) but relaunched with a new focus and new leadership in November 2024.

Products affected

OpenAI Startup Fund investments

Sources & Evidence

News Article

Figure Raises $675M at $2.6B Valuation and Signs Collaboration Agreement with OpenAI

PR Newswire·Feb 2024

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/figure-raises-675m-at-2-6b-valuation-and-signs-collaboration-agreement-with-openai-302074897.html

News ArticleVerified

Figure rides the humanoid robot hype wave to $2.6B valuation

TechCrunch·Feb 2024

https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/29/figure-rides-the-humanoid-robot-hype-wave-to-2-6b-valuation-and-openai-collab/

Other practices by OpenAI

Creative GenSora was OpenAI's tool for generating short video clips from a text description or uploaded image. OpenAI announced on March 24, 2026 that it is shutting down Sora entirely — including the app and API — citing the need to reallocate computing resources toward higher-priority products. The shutdown comes just three months after a landmark deal with Disney, which is also now cancelled.OtherIn February 2026, OpenAI signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its AI models in classified military environments. The deal — worth up to $200 million — covers uses like military healthcare, program data analysis, and cyber defense. It came days after the Pentagon blacklisted rival Anthropic for refusing to drop restrictions on domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons use.RecommendationSince February 2026, ChatGPT shows sponsored ads to users on its free and low-cost Go tiers, matched to the topic of the current conversation. Someone asking about recipes might see an ad for a grocery delivery service. Ads are clearly labeled as sponsored and appear separately from ChatGPT's answers, which OpenAI says are never influenced by advertisers.

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