OpenAI is in early talks to raise up to $40 billion in a funding round that would value the ChatGPT maker at $340 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.SoftBank would lead the round and is in discussions to invest between $15 billion and $25 billion.

OpenAI may have billions of dollars in the bank. But it's gearing up to raise billions more, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

A new investment from the Japanese conglomerate would be separate from the $100 billion tied to a project announced at the White House last week.

OpenAI is in talks for an investment round to raise nearly $40 billion that would value the AI startup at up to $340 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.