> If we didn't pay for training
it is comical that something like this was even uttered in the conversation. It really shows how disconnected the tech sector is from the real world.
Imagine Intel CEO saying "If we didn't have to pay for fabs, we'd be a very profitable company." Even in passing. He'd be ridiculed.
I'm not entirely sure the analogy is fair - Amazon for example was 'ridiculed' for being hugely unprofitable for the first decade, but had underlying profitability if you removed capex.
As a counterpoint, if OpenAI were actually profitable at this early stage that could be a bad financial decision - it might mean that they aren't investing enough in what is an incredibly fierce and capital-intensive market.
Also admitting it would make this business impossible if they had to respect copyright law, so the laws shall be adjusted so that it can be a business.