OpenAI is aiming to raise at least $5bn at a valuation of $150bn from investors including Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and Thrive Capital, in a deal that could almost double the artificial intelligence start-up’s valuation.

The San Francisco-based group has been in discussions with investors in recent weeks about a new round of financing to fund its ambitious plans to develop AI models capable of outperforming human intelligence and give it an advantage over rivals including Anthropic, Google and Meta.

According to deal terms sent to prospective investors and seen by the Financial Times, the company is targeting a valuation of $150bn, a big jump from the $86bn at which it was valued at the start of this year, and is seeking new funds of at least $5bn. The ultimate raise could exceed $6.5bn, according to one investor pitched on the deal.